References

References On Your Resume?

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A person's hand connecting icons of people that represent References.

Instead of listing references on your resume, or even noting “references available upon request,” all job seekers should have a professional reference page to provide when asked for references. Identifying and preparing a reference page is about more than listing your supervisor—or your best friend.

Choosing References

Make sure to choose at least 5 references. Typically, employers ask for three business references. Some ask for one or two personal references, excluding family members. Prepare more professional references and choose the best for each application.

Appropriate references are usually previous bosses, supervisors, and employers or leaders of volunteer organizations with which you are affiliated. If these choices are not available, consider customers, vendors, professors, and/or professional colleagues from networking, professional, or community organizations.

Select only articulate individuals who will give a positive, professional reference. If there are doubts, it is best for you not to consider that person as a reference. If you have worked in a variety of career fields, the best strategy is to obtain references that can speak with knowledge about your performance in areas relevant to your current job search.

Preparing References

Before you add a reference to your list or use the reference in an online application, obtain the reference’s permission by emailing, telephoning, or meeting with them.

To prepare professional references, you should provide copies of your resume and a summary of your current career goals. You can email the job description of the position for which you are applying or share three to four of the most important points mentioned in the job announcement. This helps the reference understand how to describe you in terms that are relevant and specific to the goal at hand. 

Remind the reference of relevant projects or tasks in which they were both involved. Offer to answer questions or have a conversation regarding the specific qualifications relevant to the desired position. This conversation can refresh the reference’s memory of your qualifications and help you to understand what pieces of information would be most helpful in a letter of reference or when discussing you with the hiring manager.

In addition to vetting talents and skills, good references can speak with knowledge about your work ethic and personal characteristics such as integrity, honesty, dependability, punctuality, and attitude.  

Following up with References

Maintain contact and a good business rapport with your selected references. Each time you apply for a new position, the references who will be asked to speak on your behalf should be contacted and emailed the job description for the position.

Saying thank you is VERY important to the relationship with your references and to ensure they do not become disinterested in continuing to provide references for you. Do not take references for granted.

Don’t be caught off-guard. Now is the perfect time to update your references so you’re ready for that next opportunity!

For more information about References check out these blog posts:

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What Can You Do to Be Ready for 2019?

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No matter what your individual politics, I think we can all agree that the shutdown is at best disappointing and at worst, a real threat to individuals, families, and the reputation of government employees, the vast majority of whom are committed to their work, their agencies, and the public. As I traveled during this holiday season, I went out of my way to thank the government employees I saw (TSA Officers, among others) to thank them for working without pay.

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No, You Should Not Have References on Your Resume

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You read that right, references do not belong on your resume! I know that many of us grew up learning to include “References Available Upon Request” on our resumes. Those days, however, are over. Hiring managers know that you will provide references if you are asked. Do not waste your resume “real estate” with this information (unless the job posting specifically requires that you include references—and by the way, this is not a requirement of USAJOBS).

Instead of noting references on your resume, you should have a separate reference page ready to go. Your reference page does not get submitted with your resume when you apply (unless explicitly requested); instead, you should bring your reference page with you to your interview. Then, if the hiring manager asks for references, you’ll have your reference page ready to provide.

Here’s how to put together a reference page:

• Match the formatting of your reference page to the formatting of your resume (and cover letter) in terms of font, color, and any graphics.

• Include your name and contact information (professional-sounding email address—not your work email and phone number) at the top of your reference page. You may want to include your customized LinkedIn URL and any other social media links as well.

• List 3 to 5 professional references. Each reference listing should include the reference name, their title, organization, City, ST, email, phone number, and relationship to you. You may want to consider to consider listing projects or skills that they reference can attest to.

• Make sure the first reference is the most important one. Be sure to ask permission before listing a reference. And, provide your references with a copy of your latest resume so that know what you have been doing.

• If you are including references on USAJOBS (even though they are not typically required), make sure your references are different than the supervisor names you have provided for each of your jobs.

If you are asked to provide references for a particular job, contact everyone on your reference page right away to let them know. Let your references know the name of company / organization that asked for the information, the position you are seeking, and the name, title, email address, and phone number for the person who may be calling. You should also share some of the critical challenges and responsibilities of the position so your references will be prepared to discuss specific skills, experience, and achievements from their work with you.
And, don’t forget to thank your references!

Include a References Page with your Resume

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The days of noting: “References Available Upon Request” on your resume are over (and have been, for quite some time). Do not list references on your resume. Instead, create a Reference Page to provide to hiring managers upon request. You should take your reference page to all interviews and have it ready to share.

Here’s what a reference page should look like and the information it should contain:

  • The formatting of your reference page should match the formatting of your resume in terms of font and any graphics used.
  • The top of your reference page should include your name and contact information (at least your phone and email address). You may also want to include your customized LinkedIn URL.
  • You should have at least 3 and no more than 5 references; all should be professional. The information on each reference should include: the reference name, title, organization, City, ST, email, and phone. You may also want to consider including the reference’s relationship to you.
  • Your most important reference should be the first one. And if possible, your references should have some familiarity with the skills required for the job you’re targeting. It is acceptable to use difference references for different positions.
  • Don’t forget to double-check all spelling and contact information.

You shouldn’t wait until you’re getting called in for interviews to contact people you want to use as references.

It can take some time to track down and reach references, catch them up on where you’re at in your career, and obtain their contact information. You don’t want to try to do that while you’re researching and preparing for a job interview.

Before providing someone as a reference, be sure to ask for permission. Not everyone you’ve worked for — or worked with — will be a good reference for you. You want a reference that can be as enthusiastic about you as you are about getting the job. Not all potential references will be able to provide this kind of stellar recommendation. But some of your references may be hesitant to say no to you directly if you ask.

Give them a way to let themselves off the hook, without turning you down directly. Instead of asking, “Will you be a reference for me?” Ask them, “Do you feel you know me well enough to serve as a reference for me?” You also want to update them on what you’ve been up to (especially if they knew you at a previous job) and what you’re looking for in your next job.

Immediately send a letter or email thanking them for serving as a reference, and provide a current copy of your resume.

If you provide a name as a reference for a particular job, contact them right away after the interview to let them know. Give them the company name, position title you’re seeking, and the name, title, email address, and phone number for the person who may be calling. Let them know some of the critical challenges and responsibilities of the position so they will be prepared to discuss specific skills, experience, and achievements from their work with you.

Ask them to let you know if they are contacted about a particular opportunity. (When they do let you know, ask what kind of questions they were asked.) This not only allows you to find out what information was collected in the reference check, but also can prompt you to write them a handwritten thank-you note, thanking them for their support.

Validating Your Experience—Third Party Endorsements

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We have talked about the importance of documenting your experience on your resume and through your cover letter. In addition to documenting your experience through achievements and metrics, another way to demonstrate your expertise and effectiveness is through third party endorsements. There are several ways to approach this:

  • Consider featuring a quotation from a recent performance evaluation or award recommendation on your resume. On a USAJOBS resume, you could call it a Supervisory Endorsement and put it in the Additional Information Section of USAJOBS. Be sure to identify where the quote came from (e.g., Recent Performance Evaluation) and identify the source, either by name or title. Here’s an example:

“Branch Chief Smith is keenly versed on all laws, regulations and policies relevant to the program. He is working diligently to transform the operational paradigm from solely security to a frontline/investigative methodology…and to retool training…He is an expert on the science that distinguishes DHS’s program from all others, particularly in the area of guarding against cross contamination.” 2016 Performance Review.

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