Office of Career Management

Professional References

Professional references play an important role in the hiring process. Employers may contact your references to learn more about your skills, accomplishments, work style, and readiness for a position.

Selecting strong references and preparing them well can strengthen your candidacy and help employers gain confidence in your qualifications.

Choosing Professional References

Most employers request between three and five professional references. Select individuals who can speak positively and specifically about your skills, work ethic, accomplishments, and potential.

Examples of professional references include:

  • Internship or job supervisors
  • Managers
  • Faculty members
  • Academic advisors
  • Research supervisors
  • Coaches
  • Volunteer coordinators
  • Mentors

Whenever possible, choose references who have directly observed your work and can provide detailed examples of your strengths.

Before Listing Someone as a Reference

Always ask permission before including someone as a reference.

Giving advance notice allows your contacts to decide whether they can provide a strong recommendation and prevents them from being surprised by a call or email from an employer.

When requesting permission:

  • Explain the types of positions you are pursuing.
  • Ask whether they feel comfortable serving as a positive reference.
  • Confirm their preferred email address and phone number.
  • Verify their current title, organization, and contact information.
  • Thank them for their support.

Keep Your References Informed

Once someone agrees to serve as a reference, help them prepare by providing information about your job search.

Consider sharing:

  • An updated resume
  • Positions you are applying for
  • Job descriptions of roles that interest you
  • Relevant projects, accomplishments, or experiences you would like highlighted

If a reference may be contacted for a specific opportunity, send them a brief update about the organization and position. This helps them provide more relevant and detailed information.

Professional Reference Request Example

Subject: Reference Request

Dear Michael,

I hope you are doing well. I greatly enjoyed working with you during my internship at XYZ Company and appreciate everything I learned from your mentorship.

I am currently applying for full-time opportunities in finance and wanted to ask whether you would be willing to serve as a professional reference for me.

As my internship supervisor, I believe you could speak to my analytical skills, teamwork, communication abilities, and contributions during my time with the organization.

I have attached an updated copy of my resume and would be happy to provide additional information about positions I am pursuing.

Thank you for considering my request. I appreciate your time and support.

Sincerely,

Melissa

Creating a Reference List

Prepare a separate reference document that can be shared when requested by an employer.

Your reference document should:

  • Use the same formatting and header as your resume
  • Include your name and contact information at the top
  • List references in a clear, consistent format
  • Be saved as a PDF when sharing electronically

A reference list should only be provided when requested by an employer unless application instructions indicate otherwise.

Information to Include for Each Reference

For each reference, include:

  • Full name
  • Current job title
  • Organization or employer
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Relationship to you

You generally do not need to include a full mailing address unless specifically requested.

Sample Reference Entry

Michael Scott
Finance Manager
Procter & Gamble
Phone: (513) 555-2158
Email: m.scott@pandg.com
Relationship: Internship Supervisor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use family members as references?

Family members are generally not considered professional references. Employers typically prefer individuals who can objectively evaluate your academic, professional, leadership, or volunteer experiences.

What if I don't have much work experience?

If you are early in your career, consider faculty members, academic advisors, research supervisors, coaches, student organization advisors, volunteer supervisors, or others who can speak to your skills and contributions.

How many references should I have prepared?

Maintain a list of at least three references. Having four or five available can be helpful if an employer requests additional contacts.

Should references be included on my resume?

No. References are typically provided on a separate document when requested. There is also no need to include "References Available Upon Request" on your resume, as employers generally expect references to be available if needed.

Thank Your References

After your job search concludes, be sure to thank your references for their time and support. Let them know the outcome of your search and keep in touch, especially if they played an important role in helping you secure an opportunity.

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