When you start to build your CV and look for a new job, employers will expect you to provide references. A reference is a trusted adult who can vouch for your skills, your character, and your suitability for a job. When considering you for a role, employers will want to talk to this person to learn more about you. So, it’s important to choose your references carefully and you should always ask for permission to share their information.
Who Can Be a Reference?
Because a reference is someone who endorses your abilities and character to an employer, they should know you well. If you have had a job before, you can ask your former manager to be a reference. If you haven’t, or would prefer to choose someone else, you can reach out to someone like a teacher, youth worker, or other mentor.
The person or people you choose should:
- Know you well and be familiar with your skills.
- Be someone you can rely on to respond to calls or emails from your potential employers.
- Not be related to you.
Five Tips for Choosing and Asking For a Reference
- Think about the best person to represent you: This should be someone who is familiar with your strengths and your successes. It should be someone who has seen you grow or seen you use your particular skills. It can be anyone who isn’t related to you but who can speak to your potential! Some examples might be:
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- A teacher who has seen you lead class projects
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- A youth worker who has mentored you through volunteering or social engagement
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- A former boss or manager who knows your work ethic and reliability
- Don’t ask them at the last minute: You want to give the person you are asking time to consider your request and to reflect on your skills. Someone like a teacher or a youth worker might be acting as a reference for a number of different young people. It may be a while since they have spent time with you. Sharing your CV and Skills Summary with them in advance can help refresh their memory of your unique abilities. This will mean they can represent you better if an employer reaches out to them.
- Remember, this is a request: Sometimes a person may be too busy to commit to being available to an employer. They may not feel as though they are the best person to represent you. Or they may have any number of things going on in their lives that means it doesn’t suit them right now. It doesn’t mean they don’t care or don’t want to help, and a refusal is not something to take personally. Ask politely and give them time to consider your request.
- Tell them about the job or kinds of jobs you’re applying for: This will help them to frame their thoughts about how your unique skill set will shine in this role.
- Double-check their contact information: Phone numbers and email addresses change. Don’t assume that you have the correct information; ask before you pass their details on to an employer. And make sure you don’t have a typo or an incorrect digit when you do share them.
How Skills Summary Can Help You Find a Reference
Did you know that the Skills Summary platform has a tool you can use to directly request an endorsement? If you want to reach out to a number of people quickly, it can help to make things easier. A pre-written message from the Skills Summary team provides a friendly explanation. Your chosen reference can submit a written endorsement online as soon as they receive your message. However, we recommend giving them a polite heads up so they know to expect the message before you send it.
Why Your References Matter
A strong reference shows potential employers that other professionals value your skills and character, that you are reliable and trustworthy, and that you leave a positive impression on people and can maintain good relationships.