16 Confirming References

A reference is a person who can vouch for your skills, knowledge, and experience as they relate to the jobs you apply for. Employers often check applicant references in order to verify statements you made in your resume or interview. Speaking with people who are familiar with your work can provide reassurance to the employer about your past responsibilities, work ethic, professional behaviour, skills, and dependability.

There are plenty of people you can ask to be a reference for you. What is most important is that your references are willing and able to say positive things about you and your work. Just remember to always get permission before listing anyone as a reference. Call and ask the person if they would be comfortable speaking positively about you as a reference.

When you have been asked for your references or called for an interview, be sure to let your references know. Giving your references a heads-up ensures they can be well-prepared to help you by providing a reference that supports your candidacy for the target job.

Prepare your list of 3-4 references in advance and be prepared to provide them upon request during the interview process.

Have both a hard and a soft copy prepared. This should be in the form of a one-page document with your name and contact details at the top, consistent with your resume and cover letter. Then, under the heading References, list each reference along with the following information: name, job title, company, phone, email, and relationship.

Here is an example of a reference sheet: