Identifying & Asking for References

References are professional contacts who can serve to provide credibility for your work ethic, strength of character, people skills, and various achievements. Even with a limited scope of employment, you can request references from any number of people, even if you have not worked for them in an employer-employee relationship. Potential references can be faculty members that have worked closely with you, leaders from volunteer experiences, supervisors from a summer job, or anyone in a leadership role from a club / organization you’ve been a part of.

To ensure quality references, make sure you:

⏳ Always ask your references, ahead of time, if they are willing to serve as a reference for you as well as for their current and preferred contact information. The chances of getting a good reference are higher when the person has time to prepare what they will say about you!

✨ Make sure your references are in a position to provide you with a strong, positive reference. (You can ask them directly if they would be willing and able to be a strong, positive reference for you!)

🔍 Only send references when you’re prompted for them; follow the specific application instructions closely.

📄 Create a separate document for your references using the same header and font as your resume.

📨 Assist your reference by sharing your resume, cover letter, and the job description—it’s okay to give them some prompting that expresses what you hope they might say!

🤔 Ensure that you inquire early in the process about what type of reference the employer is seeking. Typically, employers will either request a name of someone to speak with or a formal letter of recommendation.
(In case of a letter of recommendation, it helps your reference if you give them at least one month’s notice ahead of the application deadline.)

🙏 Be sure to follow up to thank your references and keep them updated on your progress!

Who might you ask to be a reference?

Try to identify three (3) individuals who could serve as a strong, positive reference for you. Once you’ve identified who you want to ask and confirmed they’re able to be a reference, collect the following information from them: