The Professional's Guide to Obtaining Strong Job References
By Mark Tumulty, Employment and Training Consultant
A good reference can make a real difference when applying for jobs. You want people who know your work, can speak honestly about what you did well, and are willing to take a few minutes to talk with a potential employer.
The key is to choose the right people, ask them the right way, and give them enough information to make the process easy.
1. Always Ask Before Listing Someone
Check with your reference first before giving an employer their contact information.
The last thing you want is for a former manager or coworker to get an unexpected call from an HR department asking about you. They may be caught off guard, unavailable, or simply not remember the details of your work as well as you'd hoped.
Reach out ahead of time and give them a chance to decide whether they're comfortable serving as a reference.
2. Ask Politely
When you contact a potential reference, remind them how you know each other and what you worked on together. It's also helpful to include your current resume, so they have a sense of what you've been doing since you worked together.
"Would you feel comfortable being a reference for me?"
3. Give Them Some Context About the Job
Once someone agrees to be a reference, don't leave them guessing about what happens next. Let them know when you've applied for a position and give them a few useful details, including:
The company and job title
A brief description of the position
The skills or experience that are especially relevant
Any particular accomplishments you'd like them to keep in mind
4. Follow Up and Say Thank You
Once someone has taken the time to serve as a reference, thank them.
A quick email is perfectly fine, although a handwritten note can be a nice touch for someone who has gone out of their way to help you.
And if you get the job, let them know. It's a small gesture, but people appreciate hearing how things turned out. It also helps maintain the relationship long after the job search is over.
Who Makes a Good Reference?
In most cases, people who have worked with you recently are a good place to start. An older reference can still be valuable if they know your work particularly well and can speak specifically about your strengths.
Good possibilities include:
Former managers or supervisors
Former coworkers or colleagues
Mentors
Former employees you've managed
Teachers, professors, or academic advisors
People you've worked with through volunteering or professional organizations
A Few Things to Remember
Ask first before using someone as a reference.
Give your references your updated resume, the job description, and enough notice to prepare.
People have busy schedules, and sometimes they're simply not in a position to help.
Your references are doing you a favor. Let them know you appreciate their time.
A reference is more than a name on a job application. It's someone you've built a professional relationship with, so keep in touch.
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