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Getting Great References…And How To Make Them Shine

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Imagine you’re planning to go to the movies, try a new restaurant, or pick a book to read — but you’re unsure about which film, menu item, or novel to choose. What would you do? You might contact a friend for their opinion or check other people’s online reviews. This helps you to quickly get information about the movie, food, or book you’re considering.

When you fill out a job, internship, or even scholarship application, it’s not uncommon for it to ask you to provide three references. A reference is someone who can vouch for your ability to perform a task or confirm your qualifications. Think of them like personal recommendations.

Good references help you to land a job/internship or win a scholarship, so picking the right ones can make a huge difference. And because you never know when an opportunity might present itself, it’s a great idea to start compiling a list of at least three to four references now — before you need them!

Here are a few quick tips on getting great references:

Who Makes a Good Reference?

Almost anyone who has ever supervised you or observed your work and character makes an ideal reference. This includes:

  • Previous supervisors, bosses, and managers
  • Mentors
  • Club leaders and sponsors
  • Teachers and professors
  • Religious leaders, clergy, pastors, and Sunday school teachers
  • Sports coaches
  • Volunteer and internship supervisors

Because references are used to confirm your previous work experience and ethics, it’s best to submit professional references. To avoid perceived bias, you should avoid personal references like friends, family, acquaintances, or anyone currently living in your home. (Otherwise the interviewer will think, “Well, of course their mom/brother/friend is going to say nice things about them! This isn’t helpful at all.”)

Can I Really Not Use Personal References at All? What if My Friend Is a CEO at a Major Company?

In general, professional references are preferred, but if you have a friend who works in a leadership position or in a similar industry/role to the one you’re applying for, you may use them as a reference. Remember: They need to be able to vouch for your professional abilities and ethics. Have you worked with them on a project, for example?

That said, don’t use family members or anybody living in your house as a reference under any circumstances.

Do I Include References on My Resume?

Nope! Although this used to be a common practice, references no longer go on resumes. You don’t even need to put “references available upon request” at the bottom of your resume.

Instead, you should list them in their own document and upload them to the job application separately (or print and deliver them by hand during your interview).

How Do I Format a Reference Page? What Do I Include?

There’s no strict format (like you might encounter for an APA or MLA research paper) when it comes to creating a reference page. However, there is information that every reference page should include:

  • Reference’s name
  • Their relation to you (boss, mentor, teacher, etc.)
  • Their current job title and employer
  • Their phone number and email (you don’t need to include a mailing address unless the potential employer asks for it)
  • Optional: The best days/hours to contact them; include the time zone!

Here’s an example:

Janae Smith (Previous Supervisor at Acme, Inc.)
Acme, Inc., Project Coordinator, Marketing Department
[phone number] | [email address]
Available: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-10 AM EST

Make sure that your reference’s contact information is current and accurate — and always ask your references which method(s) of contact they’d like you to use in the listing. Some references may not answer the phone but will quickly respond to emails, for example.

I Already Know My Reference’s Contact Information. Can I Just List Them on My Application Without Asking?

Just because you happen to know where someone lives, is it polite to simply stop by their house for dinner without notice? Probably not. The same goes for your references.

When someone gives you permission to use them as a reference, they’re doing you a favor — giving you their time, energy, and resources to help you get a job offer. Asking for permission before including people in your reference list shows respect and helps you to acknowledge that you don’t take their help for granted.

Furthermore, not every reference will agree to your request (though most probably will). There may be legal, ethical, or convenience-related reasons why someone can’t give a testimonial about you, so always be sure to ask first!

I Got Permission To Use Someone as a Reference. Can I Use Them on as Many Job Applications as I Want?

If someone were to get a random call from an employer two years after you first asked them for a reference, they may not know whether the call is legitimate or what to say.

For this reason, let your references know in advance every single time you plan to submit their names with a job application. This ensures that they’re fully prepared for a call from each specific employer, and it shows respect for their time.

How Can I Make Sure My Reference Is the Best Reference Ever?

Give your references everything they need to talk about you in the best possible way: your resume, a copy of the job description for the position you’ve applied for, and any other details that will assist them. Explaining to your references what kind of job it is — and even some details about the employer’s company culture — can help your reference talk about specific skills and experiences that make you an ideal fit for the company.

What Kinds of Questions Will the Employer Ask My References?

This varies from employer to employer, but in general your references can expect questions like:

  • How would you rate their work?
  • Would you hire them again?
  • Could you trust them to show up and get work done on time?
  • How well did they take direction?
  • Did they have good relationships with their coworkers?
  • When and why did they leave your position?
  • What are their strengths and weaknesses?
  • Do you think they can perform our job well?
  • How well do they handle stress?

Should I Bring a Copy of My References to the Interview?

In addition to uploading your list of references to the online job application (usually under a designated field or an additional documents option), it’s a good idea to print out a few copies of your reference list for your interview. This way, you can hand your list of references directly to the employer and show that you’re fully prepared to help them through the next steps.

Doing this proactively will always cast you in a good light!

Ready To Put Your Reference List Together?

Career Services is here to assist! Contact your closest campus’ Career Services Center to schedule a meeting with a Career Center Coordinator or check out our upcoming events. We assist with resumes, interview preparation, cover letters — and, of course, compiling and formatting your reference page.

We look forward to helping you succeed this semester and beyond!

Casey Covel
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