Summary
- References can fill in your blanks for potential employers.
- Choose references who know your skills and traits.
- Prepare your references to truthfully sing your praises.
No matter how many good things you say and demonstrate about yourself on your resume or in job interviews, at some point employers are going to want an objective second opinion of you -- and probably third and fourth opinions as well.
That's where your professional references come in.
The time and care you invest in choosing and even coaching the people who will serve as your references might very well determine whether you're ultimately offered the job or internship you so badly want. Why? Because most employers aren't going to rely on your word alone, no matter how sincere and truthful you might be in marketing yourself for a position. Most employers aren't going to rely solely on their own judgments of you, either. They simply haven't known you long enough to fully assess you and your education, experiences and skills. Nor have they seen how you fare in pressure- or stress-filled situations.
So most employers will want to hear from your references in hopes that these people who know you a little better can speak to your skills and personal traits based on their past experiences with you. It goes without saying, then, that the better your references are, the better your chances will be when it comes to landing the position.
Who makes a good professional reference? While your family and friends may love you and speak highly of you, they're not the best professional references. Instead, approach your:
- Current and Past Employers: Employers will probably be your best professional references because they can discuss your work habits and the skills you gained on the job. They'll also have the most in common with the people who are considering you for the job or internship you're seeking.
- Professors: If you've gotten to know some of your professors fairly well, ask them to be references for you. While professors may not be able to speak to the skills you gained in an employment setting, they can describe your academic abilities and your skills in areas like research, written communication and oral presentation.
- Advisors: While you may not know your academic advisor terribly well, maybe you've worked closely with your student organization's advisor. If so, he can talk about your leadership skills, your people and teamwork skills, and perhaps even your fundraising or member recruitment skills.
- Volunteer Supervisors: If you've done any volunteering on campus or in your local community, you've probably worked fairly closely with at least one person who has overseen your efforts. That person can talk about your level of commitment and maybe your creative skills and follow-through habits as well.