Who to Ask for a Reference? Make Sure It’s the Right Person

Nov. 2021
By NTI

When you are looking for a new job, hiring managers are going to be asking for references. There are some do’s and don’ts to getting recommendation letters and using people as a reference.

“You want people who are qualified to write a recommendation about you,” said Alan Hubbard, NTI’s Chief Operating Officer. “It can be a former manager, a more experienced coworker or someone from your academic career. You want to avoid family and friends, because a hiring manager might think they are too biased.”

You should have your references ready before you start interviewing for positions so you don’t miss out on a job opportunity because you are unable to provide references quickly.

How to Ask for a Reference

1. Identify people you want to ask to write a letter for you, or be a contact for a hiring employer. Consider your experience with the person and which of your qualifications they will be able to vouch for.

2. Reach out to the people you are considering as a reference. You will want to make sure to get their permission to use them as a reference. You should also explain the type of position you are looking for. They might even know of an available position they can refer you to. This is also a good time to remind them of major projects or accomplishments you achieved while working with them.

“No one wants to be surprised when they get a call from an employer asking them about someone,” said Hubbard. “You are putting them on the spot, and they haven’t had a chance to formulate their thoughts about you.”

3. Tell your reference what companies to expect contact from and the position you applied for. Sending the job description and your updated resume to your reference can help them tailor their recommendation to the new position and provide more detail.

“You want to prepare them for the possible questions they could be asked by the recruiter or hiring manager,” said Hubbard. “You want to tell them the name of the person who will be calling them. People screen their calls carefully and if a name or number comes up, they don’t recognize, it will be easy to let it go to voice mail.”

4. When you receive the letter of recommendation or the person agrees to be a reference, make sure you say thank you to them. A handwritten note isn’t necessary these days but a thoughtful thank you email goes a long way. People like helping others, especially find jobs, and this is a nice practice to make sure you are following.

“Remember these people are volunteering their time and effort to help you get a job,” said Hubbard. “They are an important part of the team who is working with you to get you a new job.”

NTI helps Americans with disabilities and their family caregivers find at-home jobs with free training and job placement services. You can register for free at www.nticentral.org.