References for a job
Most employers ask for references near the end of the process, after interviews, to confirm what you told them. Many employers also verify dates and titles through HR, some former employers confirm only those by policy, and an employer may call people who are not on your list. A good reference is someone who has seen your work recently, can describe it specifically, and knows they might get a call. Getting those three things right matters more than the format of the list.
Who to ask
The strongest references are people who supervised your work: a current or former manager, a team lead, or a client you worked with closely. Colleagues who saw your work day to day are also good, especially if they can speak to the skills the new job needs.
If your search is confidential, use former managers and colleagues, and ask a current manager only once you have an offer and are ready to tell them. If an offer depends on references, ask the employer to check your current manager last, once the rest is settled. If you are early in your career, a teacher, a coach, a volunteer coordinator, or a supervisor from a part time job are all fine. Avoid family members and friends who never saw you work.
How to ask
Ask before you list anyone, ideally by a short message or call. Tell them the kind of role you are applying for and ask whether they would be comfortable speaking about your work. Giving them an easy way to say no protects you from a lukewarm reference.
When someone agrees, confirm the phone number and email they want you to share, and how they would like to be described, such as their current title.
Prepare them before a call
When an employer says they will contact references, send each person a short note: the company, the role, the name of whoever may call, and two or three things you would like them to mention if they are true, such as a project you led together.
Afterwards, thank them and let them know how it turned out. People are more willing to help again when they hear the result.
Format the reference list
Put references on a separate page with the same header as your resume. For each person, list their name, their title and organization, how they know you, their phone number, and their email. Three references is a common request, so have three ready and a fourth in reserve.
Lead with your most recent supervisor, then order the rest by relevance to the job.
Do references go on a resume?
Usually not. Employers expect to ask for references later, and the space on a resume is better used for your experience. The line "References available upon request" is also unnecessary, because it is assumed.
The exception is an application form or posting that asks for references up front. Then provide them in the format it asks for.
Get your references ready
Choose people who saw your work
Managers first, then close colleagues or clients.
Ask each one first
Give them an easy way to say no.
Confirm their details
The phone, email, and title they want you to share.
Build a separate list
Same header as your resume, three references ready.
Brief them before calls
The company, the role, and what you hope they mention.
Reference list template and example
Copy the template and replace every bracketed part. The example uses invented people, and phone numbers are left as placeholders on purpose.
Template
[Your Name] [City, State] | [phone] | [email] REFERENCES [Reference name] [Title], [Organization] [How they know you, such as: My direct manager at Organization] [phone] | [email] [Reference name] [Title], [Organization] [How they know you] [phone] | [email] [Reference name] [Title], [Organization] [How they know you] [phone] | [email]
Filled example (invented)
Jordan Rivera Austin, TX | [phone] | jordan.rivera@example.com REFERENCES Morgan Lee Operations Manager, Example Supply Co. My former manager on the warehouse reporting team [phone] | morgan.lee@example.com Sam Ortiz Warehouse Lead, Example Supply Co. Worked with me daily on the late order report [phone] | sam.ortiz@example.com Priya Shah Logistics Supervisor, Sample Logistics My manager in my previous role [phone] | priya.shah@example.com
Message asking someone to be a reference
Hi [Name], I am applying for [kind of role] roles and wondered if you would be comfortable being a reference for me. You saw my work on [project or responsibility], which is close to what these roles involve. No pressure at all if the timing is not right. If you are happy to, could you confirm the phone number and email you would like me to share? Thank you, [Your Name]
Related reading
Questions
- How many references do I need for a job?
- Three is a common request. Have three ready and one more in reserve in case someone is unavailable.
- Can I use a coworker as a reference?
- Yes, especially someone who saw your work closely. A manager is usually stronger, but a colleague who can describe specific work is better than a distant supervisor.
- Should I put references on my resume?
- Usually not. Keep them on a separate page and share them when the employer asks, unless the application asks for them up front.
Where ApplyASAP fits
References come at the end of the process. ApplyASAP works earlier, on finding openings and submitting tailored applications.
ApplyASAP is one option when you want the sending done for you. It finds openings for the titles and places you name, tailors your resume to each posting, and does not invent employers, dates, degrees, titles, numbers, certifications, or people you managed. It answers the application questions, and the team sends and tracks each application. Skills it adds are ones your role and level usually carry, and you can take any of them off. The resume still has to be true.
Want to see how one resume lines up with one posting? Try the free resume keyword checker. It runs in your browser and saves nothing.