They’re often friends, coworkers or college instructors. While there may be many options within your life, choose your references carefully. Friends or coworkers who are more likely to speak favorably of you are the best options.
Contents
Who should you list as a reference?
Consider these eight people when making your reference list.
- Recent Bosses.
- Coworkers.
- Professors.
- Friends… But Only if They’re a Professional Reference.
- Group Members.
- Any Place You’ve Volunteered.
- The Person You Babysat for or Whose Lawn You Mowed Every Summer.
- High School Teacher or Coach.
Can you list anyone as a reference?
A reference is someone who can describe or confirm your professional experience. Examples of possible references include former coworkers, work or internship managers, professors, coaches, or even heads of organizations you have volunteered with.
Can I put my friend as a reference?
Good friends don’t automatically make good references. Remember that you’re not just looking for someone who has a high opinion of your work—although that’s essential—but also for someone who can explain why they feel as they do.Will give you permission to use them as a reference.
Who should I ask to be a reference?
Most commonly, you will ask your former employers and supervisors to be references for you. However, you can also include other people with whom you’ve had a professional relationship. For example, you might include colleagues, business contacts, customers, clients, or vendors.
Can I use coworkers as references?
Colleague
Someone you worked alongside at a previous job, even if they weren’t your boss, can be an excellent reference. They will be able to speak about things you worked on together and what you achieved as a team.
Who should you not list as a reference?
4 people you should never use as job references
- Family members.
- Anyone who fired you.
- Friends or roommates.
- Anyone who’s not expecting a call.
- Give your career a heads-up.
Is it OK to use someone as a reference without asking?
Your references should be people you have worked for or worked with. Don’t use someone as a reference without asking them first. Do not assume your favorite teacher or former supervisor will give you a reference. Always ask for permission first and ask far enough in advance so they have enough time to say yes or no.
What should I say as a reference?
Here are five elements all personal reference letters should include:
- Start by explaining your relationship to the candidate.
- Include long you’ve known the candidate.
- Add positive personal qualities with specific examples.
- Close with a statement of recommendation.
- Offer your contact information.
How do you list a personal reference?
Similar to professional references, a list of personal references should be presented to a potential employer with the following information included: the reference’s name, job title and company (even if they’re not someone you’ve worked with), phone number and email address.
What do I do if I don’t have any references?
As long as you can find a trusted contact who will speak positively about your character, you can supply a reference. Even if you’ve only interacted with someone a few times, they can still act as a reference. Make a list of people you’ve interacted with besides family.
What do I do if I don’t have 2 references?
If you do not have any professional references, offer to provide twice as many personal references if you can. A personal reference can be from someone who knows you, but has never worked with you in a professional environment. For example, they could be a friend, a classmate, a teammate, a coach, a teacher, etc.
How do you fake a reference?
What is a fake reference? As was my friend Jim’s intention with me, a fake reference often entails asking someone you’re close to — a friend or family member — to pose as a former colleague or business associate in order to up your odds of success on a job application.
Can you use your old boss as a reference?
That’s because a prospective employer will want to speak with your previous bosses whether you list them as references or not. If you are still employed, you can request that your current employer not be called until an offer has been extended.
Do employers actually call references?
Do employers always check references? Essentially, yes. While it’s true that not 100% of Human Resources (HR) departments will call your references during pre-employment screening, many do. If you’re about to begin a job search, you should expect to have your references checked.
Do employers call all three references?
Most employers will call your references only if you are the final candidate or one of the final two. Occasionally the final three or four. Every now and then an employer will check all the people they interview, although to me that’s inconsiderate of the reference.
What are examples of references?
The general formats of a book reference are:
- Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (year). Book title. Location: Publisher.
- Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (year). Book title.
- Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (year). Book title.
- Editor, A. A. (Ed.). (year).
- Editor, A. A., & Editor B. B. (Eds.). (year).
Who can give professional references?
The 8 Best People to Choose as Job References
- Recent bosses.
- Co-workers.
- Professors.
- Friends… but only if they’re a professional reference.
- Group members.
- Any place you’ve volunteered.
- The person you babysat for or whose grass you cut every summer.
- School teacher or coach you still talk to regularly.
Do I have to provide a reference?
There is no legal obligation to provide a reference except in a few sectors, such as financial services, but any reference that is provided must be true, accurate and fair. Your employer owes a duty both to you and any prospective employer.