Selecting People to Serve as References

If you are planning to conduct a job search, you should identify a few people to serve as professional references for you. Generally, you need to have 3 or 4 references and at least two of them should be familiar with your work - directly. If necessary, you can include one personal reference - someone who can speak to your personal characteristics. Your professional references should be able to share insights into your work-related strengths with a potential employer.

People who you have worked for or with are potential references, although you should select those who would be most likely to say positive things about you and sound professional in doing so. You should always check with the potential references to make sure you can list them. While having the discussion, you should also make sure that you have their correct contact information and current job title.

When you create your list of references for a job search, you should list each reference with their title, employer, and contact information. You should also include a statement about how they know your work - or your working relationship with them. You generally don't need more than four references and if you only have three names, that is generally okay too.

Students who are graduating that don't have three work-related references may choose to ask a professor to serve as a reference. Ideally, it would be a professor who teaches in your major field of study, although it could be someone with whom you worked on a class or research project or study.

Once you have identified your references and verified their contact information, you will need to type your list. Use a simple heading - References for _________. You may want to list them in the order of significance or they could be listed in alphabetical order. You should carry a clean copy of your references with you to each job interview.

During the job search, you will want to keep in contact with your references to update them on your search. Obviously, when you do accept a job offer, you will want to send a thank you note to your references and let them know where you will be working, what you will be doing, etc.


Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at wwww.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.