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When job hunting, they say it’s not what you know but who you know. A good reference could be the key to landing a great job. But what makes a “good” reference, and how do you get one?
First, write down everyone you can think of who could serve as a reference. In order of priority, here’s who you should consider:
Notice that friends and family are not on that list! You should not ask anyone with whom you did not work directly to serve as a reference. The only exception is recent graduates, who might consider using a professor if they have little work experience.
Ideally, this person has recent first-hand experience of you in a professional setting. However, if you’re job hunting while still employed, you won’t be able to ask your current supervisor for a reference. In fact, you should be wary of asking anyone in your current organization in case word gets out.
One way around this is to do volunteer work in your community. Not only will you be helping people, but you’ll also establish relationships that could be beneficial in your job search. That might mean planning three-six months in advance, but finding the right job is a marathon, not a sprint.
The biggest mistake people make is assuming that someone will serve as a reference. You should always, always ask them first. You might be surprised by a rejection from a person you thought would be happy to sing your praises.
That happened to me once; someone I thought of as a mentor wasn’t comfortable being a reference. It was a blow to my confidence, but at least I found out how she really felt before a potential employer called her out of the blue.
When you ask permission, you also have a chance to get the person’s preferred contact information. You can also remind them of why you’re so awesome!
It’s actually considered polite business etiquette to give your references a few talking points. At the bare minimum, send them an updated resume so they know what you’ve been up to since working with them. It’s also smart to include a copy of the job description that you are applying for.
Beyond that, you can mention projects or accomplishments from the time that you worked with your reference. You can even ask them to speak to certain skills, including “soft” skills like communication. It might seem like you’re trying to put words into their mouth, but a little prep will make it easier for them to serve as an effective reference.
Even if you don’t get the job, you should still thank your references. They gave their time to you, so the least you can do is thank them. Penning a hand-written note is a nice touch.
However, resist the urge to send any kind of gift, as that can send the wrong message. Likewise, offering to treat the person to lunch could be viewed as just another drain on their valuable time.
If you do get the job, send a follow-up email to let your reference know the good news!
