How to Get References for Your Job Search
Short answer
To get references for your job search, start by identifying people who know your work or character well, such as former employers, coworkers, teachers, or volunteer supervisors. Contact them respectfully, explain the jobs you’re applying for, and ask if they would be willing to provide a reference. Prepare them with your résumé and key points so they can offer relevant, positive feedback.
What do you need before starting to get references?
Before asking anyone to be your reference, preparation is key to ensure the process goes smoothly and professionally. Begin by compiling a list of people who can genuinely speak to your skills, work ethic, or character. This list can include former supervisors, colleagues, teachers, internship or volunteer supervisors, mentors, or clients if you have freelance experience. Be sure to select individuals who remember your contributions well and who are likely to provide positive feedback.
Next, gather information about the jobs or industries you are targeting so you can clearly communicate what qualities or experiences are most important. For example, if you are applying for a customer service role, your references should be ready to highlight your communication and problem-solving skills. Have your résumé and any recent achievements or projects handy to share with your references. This will help them recall specific examples.
Finally, decide how you will contact your references—whether by phone, email, or in person—and prepare a polite, professional message to ask for their support. Planning this ahead of time sets a positive tone and increases the chance they will agree to help.
What steps should you follow to get references?
Follow these detailed steps to secure strong references that support your job search:
- Identify potential references: Think about people who know your work quality and character well. For example, a former manager who supervised you closely or a professor who taught you in a relevant subject.
- Reach out personally: Contact each person directly via phone or email. A sample message might be: “Hello [Name], I’m applying for a job in [field], and I was wondering if you would be comfortable serving as a reference. I value your insight and believe your perspective would help.”
- Explain the job and employer: Share details about the company, the role’s main responsibilities, and the skills they are seeking. For example, “The position emphasizes teamwork and attention to detail, which I know you saw me demonstrate during [project].”
- Provide your résumé and key points: Send your résumé and highlight achievements or skills relevant to the job. This enables your references to speak with specifics rather than generalities.
- Get permission to share their contact info: Confirm that they are comfortable having employers contact them and verify the best phone number or email.
- Thank them: Express appreciation for their time and willingness to assist. For example, “Thank you so much for supporting me; I really appreciate your help.”
- Keep them updated: After interviews or job offers, let your references know how things went. This keeps the relationship strong and allows them to provide follow-up support if needed.
Completing these steps thoughtfully sets you up for positive, helpful references that can make a difference in your job search.
How can you tell if your reference request worked?
You can tell your request was successful in several ways. First, if the person agrees quickly and asks for more information, it’s a good sign they are willing to be a strong reference. When you send your résumé and job details, a prompt response or follow-up questions indicate genuine interest.
Once employers start contacting your references, you may hear from them confirming the conversation or providing feedback. If you receive interview invitations or job offers, this often means your references spoke positively about you. Sometimes, employers tell you directly that your references were a major factor in their decision.
If your reference calls or emails you after the employer contact, asking how it went or offering advice, that also shows their engagement and support.
If you don’t get clear signals, you can politely ask your references if they were contacted and how it went. This helps you gauge their effectiveness and plan next steps.
What should you do when getting references goes wrong?
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned when collecting references. If someone declines your request, respond graciously with something like, “Thank you for your honesty. I appreciate your consideration.” Then move on to other contacts. Do not pressure or take refusal personally.
If a reference is unresponsive to employer calls or emails, follow up with them gently: “An employer may be reaching out soon about a reference. Please let me know if you need any more information.” If they still don’t respond, consider replacing them with someone else.
If you suspect a reference gave negative feedback, try to confirm by asking the employer or listening carefully to interview feedback. If negative input is confirmed, seek additional references who can provide a stronger endorsement.
To avoid problems, prepare multiple references and confirm all contact details and permissions before submitting them. If you feel stuck or unsure, a career counselor or trusted mentor can offer guidance.
How do you adapt reference requests for different audiences?
Different situations call for different types of references and approaches:
- Recent graduates or students: Without much work experience, consider teachers, academic advisors, internship supervisors, or volunteer coordinators who can comment on your skills and character.
- Career changers: Use references who can speak to transferable skills, such as project management, communication, or leadership, even if from a different industry. Explain your career shift so they understand what to highlight.
- Remote workers or freelancers: Ask clients, project managers, or colleagues familiar with your work quality and reliability.
- For informal or casual references: Maintain professionalism but adjust tone to be friendly and conversational. For example, “Would you feel comfortable being a reference for me? I’m applying to jobs that need strong teamwork skills, which you saw in our project.”
Tailoring your request to the relationship and context ensures clarity and comfort for both you and your reference.
What are some tips for preparing your references?
Preparation increases the quality of your references. Before giving out contact information, do the following:
- Brief your references on the job: Share the job description and what skills or qualities the employer wants. For example, “This role requires strong organizational skills and customer service experience.”
- Provide your résumé and key accomplishments: Highlight projects or achievements relevant to the position.
- Practice your “ask” with them: Tell them why you want the job and what you hope they will emphasize. This can include phrases like, “Please mention how I managed deadlines effectively.”
- Notify them when employers will contact them: Give a heads-up to avoid surprise calls or emails.
- Keep them informed: Update references about interview progress or job offers, thanking them again for their help.
This preparation helps your references provide detailed, confident recommendations.
How should you list references when applying for jobs?
When employers request references, follow these guidelines to present them professionally:
| Information to Include | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Provide the full name of the reference. |
| Job Title | Their current or relevant job title. |
| Company/Organization | The company or institution where they know you. |
| Phone Number | Best number to reach them directly. |
| Email Address | A professional email address. |
| Relationship Description | Briefly explain how you know this person. |
Create a separate “References” document rather than listing references on your résumé unless asked. Use a simple, clean format and make sure to update contact details regularly. Always inform your references before sharing their information, so they are prepared if contacted.
For example:
Jane Doe Manager, XYZ Company Phone: (555) 123-4567 Email: [email protected] Relationship: Former supervisor for 3 years
Providing clear, accurate references reflects professionalism and helps employers quickly understand your background.
Frequently asked questions
Can family members be references for a job?
Generally, family members are not recommended as references because employers want objective opinions about your professional skills and character. Instead, choose former supervisors, teachers, or colleagues who can provide credible feedback.
How many references should I provide to employers?
It’s common to provide three to five references unless the employer specifies otherwise. This gives a balanced view of your abilities without overwhelming the employer.
What if I don’t have any work experience to provide references?
Use teachers, volunteer coordinators, coaches, or mentors who can speak to your work ethic, character, and relevant skills. These references are valuable for entry-level jobs or internships.
How do I ask someone to be a reference without feeling awkward?
Approach the person politely and be straightforward. You might say, “I’m applying for a job and would really appreciate if you could serve as a reference. Would that be okay?” Giving them an easy way to say no helps reduce awkwardness.
What should I do if my references are not responding to employer calls?
Follow up with your references to remind them about potential contact. If they remain unresponsive, consider finding alternative references. Keeping communication open helps prevent surprises.
Should I update my references after I get a job?
Yes, it’s courteous to thank your references and let them know you secured a position. Maintaining good relationships can help with future opportunities or networking.