Job Reference Guide

Before you go in for an interview, you must always have a list of job references on hand. It is absolutely vital that you have contacts of people who can offer other employers a great recommendation.

Before listing some names on your reference page, think and carefully choose people who you've worked with professionally or who know your sense of work ethic.

Priority Tip: Always ask before you use someone as a reference.

When employers call your contact person of choice, it could overwhelm them if they don't know in advance. You want to let them know and ask politely, so they can be prepared on what to say about you.

Here are some people to consider:

• Managers
• Teachers
• Counselors
• Human Resources professionals
• Those in a higher position than you
• Partners from affiliated companies
• Clients (if you've had a long business relationship with them)
• Organization leaders (for example, the president of your Marketing Association)
• Community Service leaders (if you've done consistent volunteer work for them)

Co-workers are not recommended as most tend to be on a "friend" basis. I would only advise you use a co-worker if you absolutely cannot think of anyone in the list above.

Do not list boyfriends/girlfriends, parents, other family members, friends, therapists, personal trainers, or anyone else in your personal life.

Reference List

Be sure you have current phone numbers, emails, and business addresses (not home addresses!).

List 3-4 people to serve as your references.

Click here for a job reference example.