How to Provide References for a Job

This article will guide you through everything you need to know about providing professional references for a job on your CV, on applications, after the interview, and when employers ask for it. Try to provide three references to each employer in your job search, with at least two being professional references. However, if the employer asked for a specific number, then you should follow their instructions.

For each reference, provide their full name, their address, contact number, and your relationship with them. Also, indicate whether each professional reference is somebody at your current employer or someone from a former company. Ensure that you’ve informed each reference beforehand and confirmed that they’re comfortable providing a positive reference for you.

Professional and Personal References

Professional references are people who have seen your work first-hand and have been colleagues, current supervisors, or supervisors in past jobs. If you’re inexperienced, then your professional references can be your past or current lecturers or teachers.

On the other hand, personal references (also called character references) are people you know personally. This could be a friend, or any other personal contact who can speak to your character and personality traits.

Reference Letters

Some employers may ask you for reference letters. In this case, you’d ask your references to write the letter and state the reasons why they’d recommend you and what they observed about your work that would make you a great employee.