Your references should be people that are familiar with your work ethics, personality and skills.
I know you’re probably wondering who you should ask for as a reference-- well that’s simple! You can ask former bosses (supervisors, managers), co-workers, vendors and colleagues; they all make great professional references. If you are just starting out in the workforce or haven’t worked in a while, you can request a character reference from your professors or a religious affiliation member who is familiar with your skills and attributes.
A wise lawyer once commented “Never ask a question you don’t know the answer to”. So then, do not use someone for a reference unless you’ve gotten permission first. It may help to have them send you a draft letter, or use LinkedIn as a resource for collecting references.
Sometimes employers request about three or four references. Your references should be listed on a separate sheet from your resume and should match the font and format of your resume. Include the names and complete contact information of each reference, including job title, employer, address and telephone numbers.
Submit references only when the employer requests them. It is no longer appropriate to indicate on your resume “References available upon request”.
Your references are doing you a favor that can help you land your next job; be sure to send a thank you note. The more you keep in contact with them, the more likely they are to remember you favorably.
The next time you’re interviewing and an employer asks “Do you have any references?” you can give them a BIG smile and reply, “Yes, I have references.”
Written by: Jenny Baguidy
