How Do I Ask Someone To Be A Personal Reference
How you ask for a personal reference can be as important as who you ask. Even if youre reaching out to someone you know well, its still important to be professional about it. You should always ask someone to be your reference before sharing their information with a potential employer. When exactly you ask is up to you as long as its youre giving them ample time to respond and prepare. Confirming that someone wants to be a personal reference for you demonstrates respect and consideration for them.
Asking ahead of time also gives you an opportunity to share relevant information and prepare your reference. If they don’t have the information they need to provide a glowing review, that could potentially hinder your chances of getting the job you want.
So when you ask someone to be a personal reference, consider providing the tailored resume you submitted to the job youre applying for, a link to your portfolio, and any other materials that can help your reference prepare to talk with the employer about you . In addition, you should provide a copy of the job description so that your reference knows about the job requirements and expectations and can mention why youd be a good fit when talking to the employer. In my own coaching experience, I work with job seekers to identify their soft skills and ensure they provide their personal reference with specific examples of how theyve exercised these skills so they can be brought up in a reference conversation or letter.
Hi Elaina,
What Is A Personal Reference
A personal reference is an individual close to the candidate who can speak on their skills, personality, work ethic and characteristics. When you’re impressed with a candidate’s resume or interview, you can contact their personal references to learn they’re firsthand opinion of what the candidate is like to work with, their teamwork skills and their ability to handle the role’s responsibilities. Personal references can be a candidate’s former instructor, colleague, friend, academic advisor or coach.
Related:How to Write a Character Reference for a Friend
How Many References To Add To A Resume
Assuming you are using a separate, dedicated references page, the ideal number of references to aim for is between 3 to 4.
In some cases, you may include up to 5 to 6 references, though generally you should limit yourself to a lower number unless specifically requested to do otherwise.
When selecting your 3 to 4 references, it is important to keep a few factors in mind:
- Which references hold the highest prestige in their positions, making their inclusion on a references page notable?
- Which references can provide the most relevant information about your work ethic and skills for the job you are currently applying for?
- Which references do you have the strongest relationships with who will go above and beyond to recommend you to a hiring manager?
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When Should I Include References On My Cv
1. When requested by the employer
Some employers may request your cover letter, CV, references and/or recommendation letters as part of the first stages of the job application process .
If this is the case, you must provide your references to the employer, either through their job application form or by including it on your CV. Most employers, however, will not ask for this information until the later stages of the selection process.
2. To impress the recruiter
Your reference may be a respectable and well-known person who would impress the reader an MP, dean of a university, director of a famous company or a person who has received an honorary award .
3. To make things easy for the recruiter
Including your referees on your CV makes life easier for some employers who may want to speak to your references before the interview stage.
By providing this information beforehand, they can instantly check you out at any stage of the selection process. Remember, recruiters are under no obligation only to contact your referees after the job interview stage.
4. To gives your CV more credibility
Psychologically-speaking, adding references gives your CV a little more weight and credibility because it demonstrates that you are confident of your own track-record and that you have people who will vouch for your suitability for the job whenever required.
It also gives the impression that you have nothing to hide .
5. To fill up blank space
Should I Include A Separate References Page
Should you include a separate references page that is not actually part of your resume? This is a much better solution if the employer has specifically requested references. Creating a separate document that is solely for references resolves the problem of putting peoples private contact info on your public resume.
In North America, the gold standard is a one-page resume. In the UK and certain other countries, however, two-page resumes are more common. But if you do choose to create a two-page resume, that doesnt mean you should include references just because you have more room.Provide what is asked for and what is expected. Reference pages usually arent required, so youre better off using the second page of a resume as additional real estate for your employment history, educational achievements, job qualifications and certifications.
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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
512-555-1234joseph.z.smith@email.com
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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Why Are They Needed
When employing new people, most businesses are looking not only for someone with the right set of skills and experience, but also a person who will fit in well with the existing team, be a team player and an overall positive influence on the organisation. Getting a good sense of this can be hard when referring to a CV or professional references as these largely focus on skills and experience. A personal reference can give some insight into your character and how well you are likely to fit in within the company.
Team fit is absolutely essential and we are seeing it become the deciding factor in recruitment processes. Organisations would rather hire someone who is going to be a great cultural fit over another with more experience. Skills and experience can be learned whereas a good cultural fit is harder to come by. If you have a strong personal reference this can both open doors to job opportunities and prove the deciding factor when the competition is stiff. For employers, they can give valuable insight into your character and help to establish who is going to be the strongest team fit.
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Example Of A Request For A Personal Reference
Hi Taylor,
I hope youre well! As you know, Im currently job searching for a position as an EMT. I got an interview with Central Hospital and they asked me to provide a personal reference. Since weve known each other for years from volunteering at the food pantry, I immediately thought of you!
With your permission, I would like to use you as a personal reference. If you agree to this, I will share your contact information with the hiring manager and let you know when you can expect a call. Ive attached my resume and the job description for your reference.
Please let me know if you would feel comfortable providing a positive reference for me.
Thank you,
What Information Do They Request From Your Personal References
The most common is that they contact personal references by telephone. In this way, during the call they will delve into these topics:
- relationship type
- General description of the person
- Opportunity Areas
- Reasons to recommend this person
Get in touch with the people who are part of your personal references so that you explain them about the selection process and prepare the positive details that they will say about you.
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When Is It Ok To Include References On A Resume
If an employer specifically asks you to include references on a resume, forget everything weve said and do it! But you will rarely receive this request, so this issue will not come up very often.
If an employer is seeking references, be sure that the employer wants the references to be listed on your resume. It might be a better idea to include references in a separate attachment that is not actually part of your resume.
Every resume needs to have five components:
Thats a lot of information to include in a one-page document, and most experts agree that a resume should be only one page. Two pages are sometimes considered OK, especially if your job history is so stellar that you were both an astronaut and a brain surgeon. But for ordinary mortals, no hiring manager has ever complained that a one-page resume is too short.
So references almost always present two problems: 1) Nobody was expecting them, and 2) References will usually make your resume spill over onto a second page.
Even worse, this second reference page in a resume might be totally blank at the bottom, containing nothing but references, in just a few lines at the top. This kind of spill-over is never a good idea, and it suggests that you need to trim your text to hold your resume to one page.
How Do You Choose Someone And Ask For Their Reference
Choose a personal reference you have a good relationship with. Get their consent ahead of time and confirm that they are willing to provide a positive reference for you . Help the person prepare by telling them what they can expecta phone call from the employer, an email, etc.
Provide the employer name, the job youre applying for, and a timeframe for when the employer will contact them. Give the reference a copy of your resume and an update on your career and time to ask questions about your recent work experience. In 2019, USA Today reported that updating your contact on your career progress will help them be a more effective reference.
When asking someone to serve as a reference, consider contacting them by phone or email. If you know the person very well, you can send a text. However, be prepared to follow-up with a phone call to make sure they have everything they need to serve as a strong reference for you.
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When Should You Include References On A Resume
The short answer is: never. References on your resume take up valuable space. Whether your resume is one page or two pages , itâs important to use that space to promote your qualifications. Moreover, considering that each job attracts more than 100 applicants and only 2 percent of applicants will be called to interview, itâs best to keep your referencesâ contact information private until youâre asked to share it.
Email Template For A Personal Reference:
Or, if a text exchange feels a little *too* casual for this particular reference, you can shoot them an email, too. Here’s a template to draw from below:
Dear Sally,
I hope you’re well! I’m writing you with some news: I’m currently interviewing for a position as Communications Manager with an organization that supports girls’ global education. As you’ll remember from our time volunteering together at Let Girls Learn, this is a cause that is near and dear to me. Having known you and volunteered with you for several years now, I was hoping you would consider serving as a personal reference for me as I interview for this role? I’m happy to send over a little more color on the organization and what my intended role would entail if that’s at all helpful! I know they’re hoping to make a decision between candidates soon, so if you are indeed willing to speak to the hiring manager, I believe they would be contacting you within the week.
Please let me know how this sounds, and if you’d need any additional information in order to act as a personal reference for me. I so appreciate it!
Best,
- Daily articles on career topics
- Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
- Advice and support from an authentic community
- Events that help you level up in your career
- Free membership, always
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How Many References Should You Put On A Resume
The number of references you include in your reference list will depend on your career level, but prospective employers will most likely give you guidance on how many references they want. However, generally, entry-level positions require about three references, while more senior positions may require five to seven references from different times in your professional history.
Q& a: Should You Include References On A Resume
Hanne is a senior digital marketing leader with 8+ years of experience ideating, executing and launching user-first experiences to achieve business goals. She is a former Indeed editorial team member who helped job seekers be successful on Indeed, throughout their job search and into their careers.
An illustration of a person with a pen in hand looking over documents.
Professional references are a list of contacts you provide to employers to enable them to learn more about you and your past work. Employers value references because they can get a third-party opinion on the value youll bring to their team if hired.
Checking references may be the final step a potential employer takes before offering you a job, so preparing a list of people who can vouch for your work is crucial when looking for new opportunities. With this said, if references can be an important piece of the interview process, should they be included on the most common first touchpoint with employersyour resume?
In this article, we’ll take a look at professional references, how employers use them and when you should include them on your resumeand when you should not, as well as how to send a list of references if you do.
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How Do I Ask Someone To Be A Reference
The key here is to always make sure you ask someone if you can list them as a job reference, and check in each time you list them. Ensure they are comfortable accepting the role of being a reference.
Even if you asked them a while ago but are getting back into job searching again, give them a heads up youre searching again and they may be hearing from someone soon.
A good way to ask someone to be a reference is either by calling them or sending an email. Ask if they think they know you and/or your work well enough to speak about it, and if they feel comfortable doing so. Or, you could ask them if they feel comfortable giving a positive reference. By asking ahead of time, you give them the opportunity to turn it down if they dont believe they can or dont have the time to speak to someone.
Be sure to thank the person in advance for taking the time to talk to a potential employer, and update them on your job status if you get hired. You may also want to ask if they can remain a reference for you in the future should you ever need one. Again, dont forget to let them know each time you start up your search and list them so theyre aware they may be contacted.
When Do You Need To Provide A Personal Reference
Most often when someone asks you for a personal reference, its because youre interviewing for a job at their company. Though personal references are perhaps sought less often than professional ones, many employers appreciate the candid insight they offer into a persons character.
Often , personal references will be asked of entry-level employees, in particular, whom employers may presume to be lacking in professional references. However, if youre past entry-level and asked for a personal reference, thats perfectly normal, too, and you shouldnt fear being perceived as inexperienced. In the end, it really comes down to individual employers preferences.
That being said, there are a few situations outside the scope of applying for jobs where you may be asked for a personal reference. Those situations include:
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Applying to rent an apartment
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To be accepted into an academic program
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As part of an award or scholarship application process
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How To Ask For A Resume Reference
Got a shortlist of candidates? Now, its time to let those people know you are using them as your references. Never list someone without a heads-up!
Here are a few quick tips for requesting a reference:
- Use a bit of flattery, but dont fawn.
- Explain why youve chosen them.
- See if they have preferred contact information
- Ask for one or two references more than you need if someone else doesnt respond.
Heres a brief sample request:
Hi Dr. Johnson,
I hope things are going well for you, and that Westside Medical Clinic is as successful as ever. I am writing to you because I am in consideration for the position of head nurse at Regional hospital. Would it be okay if I used you as a reference?
They are seeking someone with both clinical and supervisory experience for this position, and who can understand the needs of low-income patients. Because we worked together managing the City Free Clinic, I thought you could speak to my abilities in these areas.
If you would be willing to be contacted by my potential employer, please let me know your preferred contact information.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Black