Example List Of References For Employment

After an interview, prospective employers might ask you to provide them with a list of references. A reference list is a document a hiring manager will use to get a better sense of who you are and whether or not you are the right person for the job. This list is composed of individuals that can attest to your skills and qualifications.

We’ll cover what a reference list is, what to include, and how to format it correctly.

What Is a Job Reference?

There are two types of job references: a personal and a professional reference.

When a hiring manager asks you to provide a professional reference, they want to consult someone who has previously worked with you. This person will confirm the work you have carried out during your time with the company or corporation.

Here is a list of people you might want to consider asking to be your reference:

• Former employers, bosses, or supervisors

• A coworker or colleague

• A vendor

• A former client

Be sure to choose individuals that you have worked with during your time in the company or corporation. It should be someone you can attest to your skills and qualifications, not someone you occasionally speak to at the water cooler.

A personal reference is an individual that can speak about your character and what you have to offer. Unlike professional references, hiring managers will get a chance to get to know you better and see who you are as a person. This type of recommendation goes beyond who you are in a professional environment.

He or she will highlight your best attributes and characteristics. For example:

• A professor or academic advisor

• A coach

• A close friend

• A neighbor

While many employers may ask for professional references, a personal reference can give them a better glimpse of your character. This kind of reference is ideal for individuals who don’t have a lot of work experience in a professional setting.

Before you begin calling everyone, take a minute to decide who would be the best individual to endorse you. Consider choosing people that will be able to showcase your best and most job-relevant qualities.

Why Employers Request References

Hiring managers will typically ask for a list of references as part of the initial application process or after a round or two of interviews. Employers need to verify that the claims you’ve made on your resume and in your cover letter are accurate.

Of course, this means that professional references are given more value than personal ones, as a professional reference can speak directly to your on-the-job skills, qualifications, and professional character traits.

A reference can also give real examples of their experience with you, which helps fill in who you are as a job candidate. Sure, you’ll brag about yourself during the interview and in your application documents, but having someone else vouch for your claims carries a lot of weight.

Employers will usually specify how many references they want you to include and what type of information they require about each. Your top priority is to follow all of these instructions perfectly, while also providing a list of high-quality references that can provide a well-rounded picture of you as a professional.

Ultimately, this is a huge help for employers who have to make challenging hiring decisions with many qualified candidates. A good list of references could be the difference between a job offer and being the first runner-up.

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Reference

The next step is to reach out to the people you have chosen as your reference. Politely ask them if they would be willing to help you out in your pursuit to find future employment.

Even if this person would be more than happy to give you a hand, always remember to ask them before including them in your list.

Understand that not everyone would be comfortable giving a reference. Allow them the opportunity to decline and respect their decision. The last thing you would want is to put this person in an awkward position where they feel forced to give a referral they are not comfortable giving.

What to Include on Your Reference List

Once you have decided which individuals you would like to use as your reference, begin drafting your list. When writing a list of references for a recruiter, you will need to include the following information:

• The document title

• Your name and your contact information

• Your references contact information

• A brief description of your relationship

Generally, job postings will ask you to include at least three to five references, but that all depends on the company. Aim for five people you believe are in your corner and give you a shining stamp of approval.

How to Format a Reference List

1. Document title. The document should have a title that states what the form is.

   References For John Smith

2. Contact information. Start by writing down your name, address, and contact information.

   Your Name
   Your Address
   Your Number
   Your Email

3. References list. Remember to confirm with your contacts that the information you include in your list is up-to-date. Include your contacts information, name, title, the company they work for, phone number, and email address.

   Reference Name
   Title
   Company Name
   Company Address
   Reference Number
   Reference Email

   A brief description of your professional relationship

Reference List Sample

Thank Your References

While your resume can play a crucial role in helping you land a potential job, having references will go a long way. Other than highlighting your skills, asking someone to be your reference is an excellent way to network. Keeping these connections can enhance your chances of getting hired in the future.

Remember to thank your friends and colleagues for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help you out and offer to do the same for them in the future.

Follow up with your contact. They will be excited to know if and when you get hired, and what you’ll be doing in your future role.

Common Reference List Mistakes

While a list of references has a fairly straightforward format, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for.

• Sending your reference list too early. A list of professional references isn’t usually something that you send along with your resume and cover letter. Wait until a later stage in the process, typically after your first or second interview. Of course, follow the instructions of the employer and provide your reference list whenever they request it.

  Of course, if the initial application process requests a reference list, provide it then — following instructions is paramount for landing a job.

  Additionally, don’t include the phrase “references available upon request” on your resume. It’s incredibly outdated and hiring managers know that you’ll provide references if they request it. Don’t waste valuable resume real estate with this useless phrase.

• Incomplete reference information. Make sure to include all of the elements we outlined above for every single reference on your list. Remember to keep your formatting consistent as well, so that the order of information is always the same. All of your application documents should exhibit your ability to present information in a clear way.

• Not giving your references a heads-up. You should definitely get permission from your references before listing them. It’s equally important that you give them a heads-up when you think a call or email from your potential employer is imminent.

  For example, if a recruiter asks for your reference list at the end of an interview, let all your references know that a recruiter should be calling or emailing them in the next couple of days. That way, they aren’t caught off-guard because they’ve forgotten what they agreed to.

• Putting down too many personal references. In a list of 3-5 references, you really should have a maximum of one personal reference. They’re just not as valuable to an employer as professional references because your buddy is obviously willing to write a glowing review of your best traits.

  If you do end up using two personal references, try to think of times when they’ve seen you in a more professional setting or worked alongside you on a project. If you can turn the reference from “college friend” to “academic study partner” or “co-volunteer,” their reference immediately becomes more compelling.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.