List Of References For Job Interview

+ Good & Bad Resume Reference Sheet Examples

So many rules!

But dont worry – we have some great examples for you to help put them into practice:

GOOD EXAMPLE:

Lurton, AR, 72848

Martha is my auntie. Shes not only a well-respected member of the community but a remarkable nurse. She was the one who raised me and I consider her my mother. She knows me better than anybody else and I couldnt have chosen a better person to speak of my character. – prolonged and unprofessional description

References available upon request – overused unnecessary phrase

• providing them only one reference

Should I List My Current Employer As A Reference

Some job applications or interviewers may request you list your current employer and ask if they have permission to contact them. In most cases, this could be awkward for both you and your current employer. You probably dont want your employer to know youre looking for a new job until you know you want the job and youve been given an offer.

Most of the time, its understood that you wont include your current employer as a reference for confidentiality reasons. However, you could share their name and contact information once a formal offer is made.

If you feel comfortable and trust them, you are welcome to list current coworkers as references. Sometimes they may be the most qualified to answer questions about your responsibilities and skills. However, only do so if you feel confident in providing that persons information.

How To List References For A Job

When you apply for jobs or go to an interview, have a copy of at least three references with you. Even if the interviewer doesnt ask for it, you should offer it up before you leave and encourage them to call. When you list the references, you should include:

Reference Name, Reference Relationship

Reference Phone Number

Reference Email

Some people list references directly on their resume. While you can do this, its better to have a separate reference sheet. This can help ensure your current employer doesnt get notifieddirectly or indirectlythat youre looking for a new job before youre ready to share it with them.

You may also have a letter of reference or recommendation from a previous employer. You can provide it, along with your reference list, with a job application or upon request after an interview. Its always a good idea to ask an employer to write you a letter of reference so you have it to use in the future.

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Reference List Format Template

Here is an example of how you can format your resume list. Consider listing your references in chronological order, starting with the person you worked with most recently.

Be sure to include the following information in this order:

Your name

Joseph Smith was my professor through numerous courses I completed to earn my Masters of Business Administration.

Your resume list template should follow the same look and feel as your resume, with the same fonts and colors. This way, if you submit them together, it looks consistent and professional.

After completing the hiring process, be sure to thank your reference for assisting you in your effort to find a new job. Whether its a quick call, email or a thank you note, its important you show gratitude to these important connections. After all, their testimonial can go a long way in helping you land an interview and hopefully a new job.

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Order Your Job Reference List Meaningfully

If you are at the beginning of your career, you might have certain references that are significantly more relevant than others. Because some employers may not contact every person on your job reference list, you should push your best references to the top of the page. While there is no guarantee that hiring managers will call your top contacts first, its a good way to boost your chances.

For job seekers who have been in the workforce for several years, however, all your job references may be equally strong. In this case you should create a list of job references that is organized either in alphabetized order by last name or chronologically from the time you last worked with them.

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What Types Of References Are Important

There are four types of references. References from past employers carry the most weight.

• Employment references include past employers, co-workers, subordinates, or clients. They can speak about your specific employment experience. You can also list people for whom you perform volunteer activities, babysitting, lawn mowing, and other odd jobs.
• Professional references are people who know you on a professional basis. They may include contacts from business and sales, clubs, or professional or community organizations.
• Academic references are instructors and vocational counselors. They can speak about your academic activities. These are most appropriate for current students or recent graduates.
• Personal references are people who know you personally and can describe your skills. Only use this type of reference if you do not have the other types. Use the names of people who can tell an employer you can be depended on to do a good job.

Consider Other Professional Connections

If your relationship with a former employer or manager could have been better, consider asking someone else to be your reference. Former colleagues can be a great option, especially if you closely worked with them. You can even consider asking one of your networking connections, clients or mentors to be a reference. The key is to choose someone who can attest to your professional experience and has good things to say about you.

Related:Types of References and How To Get Them

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How Do I Get Professional References

First, call your former employers or coworkers and tell them you are searching for a job. Ask them if it is all right if you share their contact information. If they have not heard of this process, explain it to them. Tell them what type of job you are interviewing for so they know what to say about you. For example, if you are interviewing for a job as a bank teller, they should say you have good math and customer service skills.

When two or three people have agreed, you are ready to make a list of their names and contact information. It is smart to create a list of professional references as soon as you start looking for a job.

How To Format A List Of Job References

The job references format is a simple layout

For each reference, include:

• Bold: Reference name, company, their job title/position
• City, State, Country
• Office Phone number: with the area code
• Cell Phone number

Then, go ahead to the next reference, examples are listed below.

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Dont Provide References On Job Applications

Since you dont want to give references too early , you should not provide a list of references on an application form, either.

Instead, put a note indicating that you have multiple personal and professional references that youre ready to provide, however, youd like to speak first to ensure that the position is a potential good match.

Its okay to say that you dont give references before having an interview.

If youre worried about losing out on job interviews when you apply for jobs, you could list names and positions, but no contact info. That way, the employer or recruiter sees that you have references ready to go, but understands youd like to have a real interview first.

Heres a sample of providing a reference with this approach:

Reference Name: Bethany Jones

Relationship: Professional reference

Email: Will be provided after job interview

Phone number: Will be provided after job interview

Sample Reference Page For Employment

A reference page is a list of usually one to five people who can vouch for your skills and work styles, which employers may ask you to submit during the hiring process. The list includes:

In this article, we will provide information about what employers look for in your reference list and a sample reference list for employment.

Related:

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How To Give Your Job References

• How to Add a Post Script to a Cover Letter

The names on your list of job and professional references can open doors to the job you’ve always wanted, particularly if you provide names of former supervisors as well as people who might have connections to the company for which you want to work. Your list of references must be as neatly prepared as your resume and cover letter. The timing of handing over your list of references depends on where you are in the selection process, but if you think a list of references will benefit you during your initial interview, provide the list right away.

1

Prepare a list of three to five job and professional references list one to two personal or character references. Always get permission from your references before putting them on your list. If you’re on a diligent job search, consider asking your references for blanket permission to use their names on your list so you don’t have to call every time you get to the final stages of the interview selection.

2

3

4

Demonstrate a more assertive approach by highlighting your reference’s name or noting your reference’s name in the cc: field at the bottom of your letter. If you’re not comfortable with this approach, simply send a cover letter, your resume and references or wait until your interview to hand the recruiter your list of job references.

References

Tips For Getting And Submitting References

Who to Use as a Reference. Choosing who to ask for a reference is an important step in your application process. You will want to tailor your reference list, depending on the job for which you’re applying.

When possible, utilize references with connections to the company or industry to which you are applying.

Its also helpful to use references who can attest to your qualifications for the particular job youre applying to. With this in mind, its great if you can list people who have worked with you in a similar context.

How to Email a Reference List. When youre emailing a reference list to an employer, name the file so that its easy to identify and easy for the hiring manager to keep track of. You may want to send it as a PDF file, so it retains the original formatting. Here’s how:

• For Word Documents: click File, Save As, PDF to save your documents as PDF files.
• For Google Docs files: click File, Download, PDF document.
• Save the files with your name, so they don’t get mixed up with other applicants’ materials, e.g., janeapplicant.pdf.

Give the Reference Giver an Opportunity to Decline. When you ask someone to give you a reference, its always a good idea to give them an opportunity to decline. While most people are happy to help colleagues out with references and recommendations, there may be personal circumstances or professional policies preventing them from doing so at a particular time.

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Professional References Format Example

Once you have your list of names to give employers, youll want to format it and get it ready to send.

I recommend putting together your full list in a Word doc or the body of an email. You could also ask the recruiter or employer which format they prefer.

Example of how to format your references:

Name: John Smith

Availability: Weekdays from 9 AM 3 PM Eastern Time

When Listing References On A Resume:

If you are applying to a job where the job ad specifically requests your references be listed on your resume itself, you will want to add just the basics in order to save space.

The best way to format these references is as follows:

• The reference’s name their professional title and the company name.
• The reference’s email address.
• The reference’s phone number.

Add a heading, such as “references” or “professional references”. To further save space, you can use two columns to list your references.

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Who Should I Include In My Reference List

You should organize about 3 to 5 professional references that can provide valid details about your job-related skills.

Think about people who will make the right sort of recommendations for you. These individuals are likely to be contacted directly by a potential employer and need to be ready to answer common reference check questions. Use these selection criteria for references to help you choose the right references.

Once you have decided on who you want to include in your reference list you need to obtain their permission. These individuals need to be prepared to answer questions about you and know what to expect.

You can use this sample job reference letter to ask the person to act as a reference for you.

If they are happy to act as a reference make sure you get their correct and complete details for your list. These include:

• full name

Mrs Home was my manager when I worked part-time at Macys 2016

Be Careful About Current Connections

When searching for a job while you’re still employed, it’s best to keep this information private at your current job. Now may not be the best time to ask your current colleagues or manager to be a reference. You want to leave your current job on good terms. Perhaps, you can ask these people to be your references in the future, after you have left your current job in good standing.

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Sample Reference List For Employment

When you need to provide references to a potential employer, the best way to do this is to create a reference page you can share with them. A reference page is a list of your references.

You dont want to include the list on your resume. Create a separate list you can upload with your job application, if requested, and have one ready to share with the hiring manager during or after your interview.

Here’s information on how to provide a list of references to a prospective employer, how many references to list, what to include, and how to format a reference list.

Ask Your Professional References For Permission First

Whoever you decide to ask to be a reference, make sure to talk to them first!

Ive worked for many years as a recruiter and theres nothing worse than calling someones reference and being told, Oh, I didnt know that they had put me down as a reference.

It just doesnt reflect well on you. It doesnt make you seem upfront, or like someone who communicates well. .

So always talk to your references and ask if theyre okay with being listed. And also ask if they feel comfortable speaking highly of your work! You dont want a reference whos going to say youre not a great worker.

So you should ask, Are you willing to be a reference in my current job search? but then also ask, And do you feel comfortable speaking about the quality of my work, and recommending me to employers?

As a final step, make sure you confirm the best phone number for them to receive calls on. You dont want any mix-ups where someone is expecting a phone call on a different number and misses the call.

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What To Do If You’re Asked For References After An Interview

An interview is your chance to prove that you are the best candidate for the job. While there are many things you can do to impress an employer, they still may use a few additional measures to make sure you are a quality candidate. One way they do this is by asking you for a few references. In this article, we discuss what to do if you’re asked for references after an interview.

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How To Email References After An Interview

If the interviewer has asked you to forward a list of job references, it is important to do this as quickly as possible after your job interview. Your reference list should be included as an attachment with your interview follow up email

You can use the format provided in the sample job reference list above. Just insert your own details in the professional reference list template you choose.

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Have Multiple References Ready

When you start your job search, have three or four references ready. This way, when an employer asks for references, you can give them your prepared document the same day. Along with showing you are a prepared candidate, this can speed up the hiring process. The sooner they can call your references, the sooner they can make a hiring decision.

Should You Include References On A Resume

The general common practice that the majority of resume experts agree on is that you should NOT add a list of references to your resume.

Why?

Because, generally, the HR department doesnt have time to go through every candidates list of references. They have a lot more important things to do than reach out to all the references every single candidate ever provided.

Thats why references arent requested until after your interview has gone well or right before you are hired.

But heres the thing:

Thats not an unshakable no.

If the job description explicitly states that you should include references on your resume, without question, include one!

This is very straightforward on its own, youll know when you see it.

Some consulting firms, for example, tend to ask for testimonials on your performance from previous employers before they hire you.

In this case, it’s best if you do include the contact information of the people providing you with their positive feedback, so the HR can check how legitimate they are.

Bottom line:

Every word on your resume should be full of value and quality. References add unnecessary space. Insert them only when required or if youre asked to submit testimonials.

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