When applying for an internship or job, you will be asked to list references – typically two or three. How do you choose who will best answer questions about your skills, abilities and work style? References from past employers carry the most weight (whether a supervisor, co-worker, or client), but these are other types of references that may also prove to be beneficial:
- Academic references such as one of your professors or someone on campus who you have worked with in some capacity.
- Personal references are people who know you personally and can describe your skills – but avoid using family members or close personal friends.
- Professional references are contacts you know through clubs, professional, or community organizations, such as your FirstGen Ahead coach.
In choosing your references, select people who honestly know you and will speak objectively. If someone also has influence in the community or business in which you are applying, even better. You should be cautious with references that you only know through seeking therapeutic support (such as clergy or counselors) since what they know about you may not be relevant to the position for which you are applying (though some may know you in ways that are relevant).
Always contact the person to ask if they are willing to serve as a reference before giving their name to a potential employer. It’s best to ask in person or over the phone, rather than email, so you can have a conversation about your job search goals and the specific employers who may be calling. You can prepare your reference by including the job descriptions, hyperlinks to the organizations you’re targeting, your cover letters, and resumes. By talking “live” it also serves as a great opportunity to review past responsibilities and remind your references of the successes you’ve achieved.
Format your reference list comprehensively. This means to include not only the names, title, and contact information of your references, but include exactly which attributes which reference can attest to. This will help the hiring manager in knowing which skills your reference can speak to and not waste their time asking questions your reference can’t answer.
Finally, always follow up with a personal thank you to your reference, at the minimum an email. Be sure to keep them informed on how your job hunt is going! Remember that you’re likely to want to use them as a reference in the future; you don’t want to encounter an awkward conversation with them at that point in time if they don’t know the outcome of this application experience for you.
