Before making a final hiring decision, employers usually ask job candidates to provide between two and four professional references. Professional references are an important piece of the puzzle, offering the employer a chance to hear about you from another person’s perspective. Here’s what you need to know:

Why do employers ask for a reference?
References are used to confirm your previous position, salary, and responsibilities, as well as to ask questions about your professional and interpersonal skills.

Who would make a good reference?
The best people to ask for a reference are a former boss or supervisor, co-worker, client, customer, or vendor. If you haven’t worked in a long time or are just getting started in the workforce, you can ask a former professor, a volunteer coordinator, academic advisor, or other person who can attest to your abilities.

When should I contact my references?
Get in touch with your references when you are beginning your job search. Tell them about the positions you are seeking, ask their permission to be contacted, and verify their contact information.

How should I submit my references?
When listing your references, it is standard to provide each person's full name, the name of the organization they work for, their position at the company, and a contact phone number. If your reference agrees, you should also list their email address.

Where should I list my references?
You do not need to send references in your resume or cover letter, unless the company specifically asks for them. In most cases, human resources officials will ask for a candidate’s references when they have already narrowed down their search to a few qualified individuals.