As a job applicant, you may have come across a job description that requests you to provide contact information for references. If not, when you have been through the job interview and during the last step, your potential employer asks you to give them contact details of at least three professional references. Who or what is a professional reference?
A professional reference can attest to your skills, qualities, and experiences. They have worked with you for at least six months and know your work style, your skills, and achievements. Choosing a strong reference is very important. Your prospective employers want to know whether what you wrote in your resume and cover letter is correct.
Who is an excellent professional reference?
Read on to find out what factors to consider when choosing a professional reference.
1. Questions to ask yourself when choosing a reference
2. Whom should you request to be your professional reference?
3. How to request someone to be your professional reference
4. How to get professional references without much work experience
5. What to include on your reference list
6. Example template of a referee request letter
What kind of working relationship did you have with the person?
Were they your supervisor, a colleague, or boss? Did you report to them or work under their guidance?
How long has it been since you worked together?
It will be hard for your reference to remember your achievements and skills if you haven’t seen them in years. Look for referrals from different stages of your working career.
What strengths or abilities can they attest to?
The job may be requiring a candidate with PR skills while your reference remembers you having journalistic skills. Look for a reference who will speak about the type of skills you want for the position advertised. To be on the safe side, look for colleagues who worked with you on a similar role. Also, they should be someone who worked directly with you or supervised you. The CEO may know who you are, but they may not demonstrate your expertise.
Will they be comfortable providing a reference?
Will they be positive about your work ethic? Call them to find out what they will say about you. Do not assume that a former boss or colleague will be positive about your achievements and skills. There is no need to include a reference who will not advocate for you.
Always have at least three references ready, even when going for an interview. You can quickly provide their contacts if asked for them during the interview. Your reference should reiterate your strengths at work using quantifiable examples. Think of something incredible you did and choose references who can back you up on these achievements.
Inform your reference that they should expect a call after you provide the names. This is to ensure that when they get the call, they are prepared to speak on your behalf. List references from your most recent positions at the top of the list.
People to avoid using on your professional reference list
You want a person who can provide examples into how you handled certain work conditions, related to others and whether you are hardworking and reliable. Using your family and friends makes you look like a joker.
The trick is to have an idea about what the reference is likely to say about you. If you need one from a colleague, you could recommend them in social circles like LinkedIn and ask them to do the same for you.
The best way to approach getting a recommendation is using email or text. This is so that if someone needs to deny your request, he or she can do it with ease.
1. Ask for their permission
Make sure they know that you want to use their name as a reference. It’s courteous, and it also ensures that they are not caught off guard. Giving them the heads up ensures that when they receive the call, they have ready examples to provide your potential employer with. They will not be grasping in the dark trying to remember who you are, and examples of how you qualify for the position.
You can notify them via email or text. Inform them that you are job searching and would like to provide their name as a reference to prospective employers.
2. Make sure they are prepared for the call
If they agree to be your professional reference, send them your most recent revamped resume and details on what you have been working on lately.
Include the job description and any additional information you need for the role. This will ensure that they know what to say during the call from your prospective employer. Remind them of experiences and achievements that are relevant to the position which you accomplished while working together. You can also include any skills you would like mentioned. This allows them to tailor the conversation to include achievements and skills the position requires.
3. Keep your reference informed on the job application process
Whether you get the job or not, keep your reference informed. Also, remember to send a thank you email, appreciating them for taking the time to provide you with a reference. Be sincere and personal about it. Being sincere while thanking them leaves a good impression. You may be needing them to do the same again, and this will ensure that you foster a relationship with them that will continue in the future.
Thank those not available to provide you with a reference too. Respect their decision and thank them anyway. It’s better to concentrate on those willing to offer reviews especially if they provide positive reviews.
The prospective employer may want to know about your knowledge of the industry. What tasks or functions did you perform that suit you for the role in their company? What are some of your soft skills? Are you a good communicator, timekeeper, organized, adaptable or a team player? You could ask them what kind of question they were asked after the call to prepare for the next call when you need references for another job.
If you are starting out in the workforce, it may be hard to have a list of former bosses. This should not be a problem though. You can get references even when you haven’t had a job yet.
Recommendations include skills, character, abilities, and achievements. Even though your reference was not your direct supervisor, they will speak about your character or work ethic. Use your teachers as professional references. This should be a teacher who knows your skills and abilities beyond the classroom. Employers want to see that you will be valuable to their company and good grades will not paint the whole picture.
The teacher can speak about your leadership skills or roles either at co-curricular activities or during team projects. To make sure the teacher is well prepared for the call from your prospective employer, provide them with detailed information reminding them of your achievements and skills that relate to the job requirement.
In case you have had an internship or have only been employed once, you can also get at least three professional references. All you need to do is to request recommendations from more than one person in the company. This may include your direct supervisor, a colleague or a senior manager who worked with you on a certain project.
Once you have decided on a list of people you want on your reference list, call them up or write them an email. Find out if they are willing to be your reference. Be polite and straightforward on the request.
When asked for the professional reference list, make sure to include:
Hello,
I am seeking a job at [name of company] for [name of the position you are applying to]. Based on your knowledge of my achievements and skills related to [name the role or capacity the referee was to you], I would like you to be my reference person. Would you be comfortable and willing to provide me with a reference that highlights my skills and capabilities about the role? Are you okay with me providing your email and phone number to the hiring manager at [name of company]’?
Regards,
[Name]
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