system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Student asking for a job reference on IG?

I had a former student reach out to me on Instagram for a reference for a job (consent to provide my contact info to the position, not a letter of reference). 

I taught this student in two labs, and I have a good idea of their work ethic and skills. If they had emailed, I would’ve provided a reference happily. But the way they reached out - on a social media site that I have more personal things on - and the fact they didn’t spell-check their message before they sent it off (my name was incorrect despite being right there) has put a bad taste in my mouth. It feels unprofessional of the student. 

Any advice for how to handle this? Any experience with this yourself? Thanks!
gpt
Send them a reply and ask them to send a formal request via your work email, and then private your ig if you don't want students prying. If it bothers you, gently suggest that you do not want to be contacted on personal social media.

And then write them the reference letter you would have written them in the first place. We all make social faux pas' once in a while. It's no big deal, and punishing the student with a lesser or no reference letter is petty and unnecessary, so don't do it! We're all out here just trying to do our best!