By asking ahead of time, you give them the opportunity to turn it down if they don't believe they can or don't have the time to speak to someone. Be sure to thank the person in advance for taking the time to talk to a potential employer, and update them on your job status if you get hired. You may also want to ask if they can remain a reference for you in the future should you ever need one. Again, don't forget to let them know each time you start up your search and list them so they're aware they may be contacted. When you apply for jobs or go to an interview, have a copy of at least three references with you. Even if the interviewer doesn't ask for it, you should offer it up before you leave and encourage them to call. When you list the references, you should include: Reference Name, Reference Relationship Company Name Company Address Reference Phone Number Reference Email Some people list references directly on their resume. While you can do this, it's better to have a separate reference sheet.
Your former professor has had hundreds of students, and if you haven't spoken in two years, they might respond to a reference request with, "Who? " Getting a recommendation letter While most potential employers prefer to speak directly to your references, having a recommendation letter (or three) at the ready can certainly make you stand out, especially now. Asking for formal recommendation letters is nearly identical to asking for a general reference. You'll up your odds of getting a great letter if you ask early—two weeks before an internship ends or you move on to the next job. Then, you can leave with your head held high, knowing that you have a concrete testament to your awesomeness. If you can, get letters from a variety of perspectives—that means asking people at different levels, who know you from different organizations or activities. When you're interviewing for an internship, you might ask your favorite professor, your coach, and the manager at your part-time job for a recommendation letter.
As you're applying to jobs, you may be wondering about the best way to submit your references. Should you put them on your initial application materials? And how would you even list references on a resume? The answer is, you don't. Listing your references on a resume that should be one page (or maybe two pages) is a waste of valuable space. A hiring manager or recruiter doesn't have the ability to contact references for everyone who applies to an open position or even everyone they bring in for an interview. So save that resume room for detailing your skills, achievements, and qualifications. What about writing, " References available upon request, " on your resume? Avoid this too. There's "no need to state anything about references on your resume. It is assumed that you'll share the info when requested, " Muse career coach Leto Papadopoulos says. Don't waste a resume line to say something that's taken for granted. (After all, you wouldn't write, "Available for interviews upon request, " would you? )
Entitle this page – "Professional References list " or "List of References". Standard fonts, font size – 12 For each reference, include: Bold: Reference name, company, their job title/position City, State, Country Office Phone number: with the area code Cell Phone number Email address Then, go ahead to the next reference, examples are listed below. Writing Job References – Information How many references to include? What is the standard? As a 'rule of thumb': Select three to four of your best references. Choose people whom you have worked with in your professional past, such as: managers, supervisors, customers and even colleagues??. List only professional references and not personal references. About Your Job References – Tips Make sure you contact your references and ask for permission to include them on your list. Tell them about the positions you are applying for Send them your resume – highlight your skills, qualifications and objectives. Keep them updated on your job search. Give them some preparation time prior to the phone call from an employer.
Read on to learn the right way to list your references, download our template, and see an example. When Do You Need References? "Employers will typically check your references just before they're ready to make an offer, " Papadopoulos says. That's why you don't need to provide them when you're first applying for a job. But it's a good idea to have them ready to go before you even land an interview. If a company is ready to hire you pending a reference check, the last thing you want is to be held up by asking people to be a reference or collecting their contact information. Instead, you should "have your references ready and keep them updated during your search, " Papadopoulos says. Who Should You Ask to Be a Reference? Most companies will ask for two or three references from a candidate, so it's always best to have at least three ready to go. Some prospective employers may request a certain mix of types of references, but generally you want to list former managers (or your current manager if they know about and are supportive of your job search) and former or current colleagues; if you're earlier in your career and don't have many former managers, you could list professors you worked closely with.
This could be a supervisor from a volunteer project, an internship or some other extracurricular activity. Any of these people spent enough time working with you to get a sense of your character, and probably your passions. That combination makes for a great reference. Choose at least three of these people to include on your list of professional references. Always bring a few copies of your list to interviews, in case you're asked to provide them. Promptly let the people on your list know when a hiring manager asks for your references, so they know to expect a call or email. Your references could make or break your chances of landing a job, so make sure you select the best people to speak on your behalf.
Finally, if you want to save time formatting your reference page, download our resume references template and fill it in yourself: Download Our Reference Page Template Resume reference page example Check out this properly formatted resume references example to see what a references list looks like in practice: Note that in this example, the candidate matches the style of her reference page to her resume design. If you need to include a list of references with your resume, be sure to match the formatting to the rest of your application. How many references should you have? Most job seekers should have between three and four references on their reference page. However, if you're applying for a position that requires extensive vetting like a senior-level role, you should include between five and seven professional references. But remember that all of your references should be high quality. Each reference should be able to meaningfully attest to your professional strengths and character. Don't include more references just to hit a higher number.
1. Determine how many references to include The number of references you list depends on your career level. For example, if you're entering the job market for the first time, you may only need to list three references. However, if you're applying for a more senior role, you will want to consider a longer reference list with contacts from different points in your professional history. Often, employers will provide instruction on how many references they'd like to hear from—in this case, follow any guidance you're given during the hiring process. Keep in mind that the recruiter may not contact all references on your list. In some cases, they may only call one or two. But having a selection of different types of references ensures they have plenty to choose from if one of your references is unavailable. 2. Select your resume references When selecting resume references, consider people who can speak to your best qualities, skills and qualifications. If possible, choose people who can discuss talents specific to the job you're applying for.
Who can I use for a job reference? Dos and don'ts with professional references When you're applying for a new job, the job application or recruiter may ask you to provide a professional reference sheet or list along with your resume. Or, if you're being considered for a position after an interview, you may be asked to share references then. So, what exactly are references and who should you use? How do you ask someone to be a reference and how do you list them for a job? We're going to break it down for you. A professional reference is a person who can provide a recommendation or confirm your qualifications for a position. These people should be able to attest to your work ethic, skills and achievements in your past roles. By using people who can give specific examples of your work, credentials and reliability, you are giving your potential new employer great reasons to hire you. You may need to include a list of professional references when applying for a job, in addition to your resume and/or cover letter.
In these cases, listing your friend as a reference is acceptable. Who to use as a reference if it's your first job For a student or recent graduate, finding an appropriate set of professional references is difficult. So if you lack work experience and have no references, you can list a: Teacher Professor Coach Advisor Intern coordinator Guidance counselor Family member or friend you've done work for But before asking any of the above people to be your reference, make sure that they have enough experience working with you to offer a convincing endorsement of your abilities. At a minimum, each reference should be able to attest to the quality of your character, if not your professional strengths. Assemble the perfect list of references (if necessary) If an employer requests professional references, providing them a strong, tailored references list can maximize your chances of being hired over other final candidates. And whether you get the job or not, remember to thank your references. They took time out of their schedule to help you convince an employer that you're the right candidate for the position.