1. Ask a friend for an intro to someone job hunting
Subject: Quick favor, anyone you know interviewing right now? Hey [Name], I built [Tool], an AI tool that runs mock interviews for [role type, e.g. product manager or software engineer] roles and gives feedback on each answer. I'm looking for 3 people actively interviewing to try it free this week and tell me what's broken. Do you know anyone who just got laid off or is in final rounds somewhere? I'll send you a two-line blurb you can forward. Thanks, [Your name] Use this with friends in tech, where someone in their circle is almost always interviewing.
2. Give them the forwardable blurb
Subject: Free mock interview practice for your [role] interviews Hi [Friend's contact], [Friend] said you're interviewing for [role] roles. I built [Tool], which runs realistic mock interviews based on the job description you paste in and scores your answers. I'd like you to try it free and tell me honestly where it falls short. Want a link? [Your name] Send this right after a friend says yes, so they can forward it without writing anything themselves.
3. Ask for an intro to a career coach
Subject: Know any career coaches? Hey [Name], I'm building [Tool], an AI mock interview tool that coaches can give clients to practice between sessions. I'd like to talk to 2 or 3 independent career coaches or resume writers about how they prep clients now. If you've worked with one, or know someone who has, would you mind connecting us? Happy to send a short note you can pass along. [Your name] Use this with friends who've switched careers or done outplacement, since they often hired a coach.
4. Ask for an intro to a university career center
Subject: Do you still know anyone at [University] career services? Hi [Name], I built [Tool], an AI interview practice tool for students preparing for internship and new grad interviews. I'd love 15 minutes with someone in the career center, like a career advisor or employer relations coordinator, to hear how they run mock interviews now. Would you be open to introducing me? I can draft the email for you. [Your name] Use this with alumni friends, TAs, or anyone still close to a school, ideally a few weeks before fall or spring recruiting season.
5. Ask for an intro to a bootcamp or upskilling program
Subject: Intro to someone at [Bootcamp]? Hey [Name], you mentioned you did [Bootcamp]. I'm building [Tool], which gives graduates unlimited AI mock interviews for [technical / behavioral] rounds. Do you still talk to anyone there, like a career services manager or outcomes lead? I'd like to ask how they prepare grads for interviews and whether this would help. No pressure if not. [Your name] Use this with friends who graduated from coding, data, UX, or sales bootcamps, since those programs care about placement rates.
6. Post in a group chat or Slack you're already in
Post: Small ask. I built [Tool], an AI tool that runs mock interviews for [role] jobs and gives feedback on each answer. I'm looking for 5 people interviewing in the next month to use it free and give me blunt feedback. If that's you or someone you know, reply or DM me and I'll send a link. Intros to career coaches or bootcamp staff are also hugely appreciated. Use this in alumni Slacks, former-employer alumni groups, or WhatsApp groups where you're already a known member, not in strangers' communities.
7. Follow up and thank them after the intro
Subject: Thank you, and a quick update Hi [Name], thanks for introducing me to [Contact]. We talked [day], and [one specific outcome, e.g. she's trying it with two clients next week]. If anyone else comes to mind, like someone prepping for [role] interviews or a coach who works with job seekers, I'd be grateful for one more intro. [Your name] Send this within 48 hours of the intro call. It keeps your friend in the loop and often gets you a second name. If you want this done every day, Hulby, an AI cofounder, drafts and tracks these intro asks and follow-ups for you.
Mistakes to skip
- Asking 'know anyone who might be interested?' instead of naming a specific person type like a career coach or someone in final rounds.
- Making your friend write the intro. Always offer a ready-to-forward blurb.
- Pitching features instead of asking for feedback, which makes the intro feel like a sales favor.
- Never reporting back, so the friend doesn't know if the intro helped and stops sending more.
Want this done for your AI interview prep tool, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
How many friends should I message?
Start with 20 people you've talked to in the last year. Specific asks to a short list beat a mass message.
Should I offer the tool free?
Yes, for the first handful of users, in exchange for feedback. Ask coaches and programs about paid pilots once a few users have stuck with it.
Who is the best first buyer for AI interview prep?
Independent career coaches and bootcamp career teams are good to try first, since interview prep is part of what they offer. Individual job seekers give faster feedback, but they often stop using it once they get hired.
What if my friend doesn't reply?
Send one short nudge after 4 or 5 days, then move on. Silence usually means busy, not no.