Do you want to know how to include references in your job application? You’re not alone.
Traditionally, we would add two or three references at the bottom of our CV. Our references would also write one letter each, which we sent with every job application.
In recent years, most companies have wanted feedback directly from references rather than through pre-written letters. This means you should list your references and allow the company to contact them at will.
Luckily, you don’t have to wonder how to include job references anymore. We’ve described the four types of references for jobs below, detailing what they are and why they are needed.
We’ve also highlighted the proper referencing format and shared the best tips for listing references.
What Are the Different Types of References?
When you apply for a job, hiring managers usually require several references. These job search references can help you get your dream job or cost you a position you’ve worked hard for.
However, not all job references are the same. Different types of references provide varying information to advance or hinder your professional career.
Let’s look at the four types of references for jobs:
Employment
A person who can comment on your work ethic, attitude, and skill efficiency is an employment reference.
Employment references must always be someone you worked with in a paid, professional setting.
The most common employment reference is a former employer, but you can also use a former or current colleague, supervisor, or client.
An employment reference is typically requested to provide straightforward commentary on your job performance. These can be positive or negative comments.
Personal
A personal or character reference is a person who can provide a brief assessment of you outside of a professional setting.
Personal references are usually provided by friends, leasing agents, and others who know you socially. Avoid using family members as personal references for jobs.
Coworkers, managers, and clients are typically not the best options to use as character references.
Personal references speak to your personality, ethics, interests, hobbies, and morality in social settings.
All these things are independent of who you present as in a professional environment but inform your professional life.
Professional
Professional references are people who can attest to your professional skills and abilities. They can be your previous employers, business partners, or coworkers.
Those who have worked with you in volunteer roles or on independent projects can also serve as professional references.
You can also use clients or vendors as professional references. These people will speak on your relevant skills.
These skills could be project management, programming, office management, negotiation, or communication.
Academic
An academic reference is a person who can talk about your academic work and life. You can use professors, teaching assistants, instructors, teachers, and vocational counselors.
The best academic reference is anyone who can comment on your educational endeavors. This includes your research skills and the quality of academic work submitted.
Your scholarly curiosity and effort, your grades, and whether or not you submitted work on time could also be mentioned.
What Types of Reference to Include on the Reference List
When sending a job application, you should always include a professional reference. It is non-negotiable and expected by hiring managers. Professional references help you prove you can do the job.
Some jobs will ask for academic references, especially if they are in the academic or research field.
You will also need an academic reference when applying for postgraduate study. Academic references are also a fantastic option for those who do not have work experience.
Character references are the best type of reference to include for those with little to no work experience. They can be vital to authenticating your ethics, effort, and transferrable soft skills.
You should also always include employment references.
Hiring managers want to speak to those who have worked with you directly in the past. It gives them a better understanding of your working style, strengths, and weaknesses.
How Do You List References?
When providing references to a potential employer you must list them appropriately. You should always use proper formatting and include all relevant information.
Here is how you should list your references:
Format
You must follow proper formatting structure when listing your references. Limit the number of references you list to four unless explicitly instructed otherwise.
Use the standard format accepted by hiring managers worldwide as shown by the example below:
References for Monica Justine
+(88) 009 115
Jeremy Von-Derek
Founder and CEO
The 20-Hour WorkWeek
+ (555) 167 4567
Mr. Von-Derek has been my professional mentor since 2018 and has enabled me to improve my management and negotiation skills.
Alicia Roanoake
Director of Finance
Applegate Inc
+(62) 138 9678
Ms.Roanoake was my supervising manager from 2019 to 2022 when I worked as a senior financial analyst for Applegate Inc.
Mariam William Desiree
Senior Financial Controller
Zedi Accord Ltd
+(445) 765 8796
Mrs. Desiree was a financial controller I collaborated with weekly to enable proper financial reporting and planning when I worked as senior financial controller at Zedi Accord Ltd from 2014 to 2017
Dr. Suzanne Otis
Professor of mathematics and economics
London School of Economics
+(44) 7975 689888
Dr. Otis was my thesis supervisor as I undertook my Master’s in Finance in 2013–2014
What To Include
Here is what you need to include.
Your Name:
Most employers want a reference list separate from your resume or any information filled in during application.
When giving references, always have a separate document with your full name as the headline. Include your contact details as well.
References
Provide the full, legal name of each reference independently. Avoid lumping two references together, even if they work for the same company in the position. Do not use nicknames.
References’ Job Titles, Companies, Contact Info, and Relationship to You
The most important part of the reference is the contact information. Hiring managers must be able to reach your references.
Use up-to-date email addresses and phone numbers and ensure your reference knows to expect a call from a hiring manager. Give a single statement description of how you know this person and for how long.
Tips
A reference list is a critical part of your job application. If done right, it could help you secure the job of your dreams.
However, it could also prove detrimental to your application. Here are some tips to ensure your reference list offers you an advantage:
Save and Send as a PDF
Word documents have become a professional standard. However, they aren’t the best for any job application documents.
The specific format of a resume list can change from one version of Word to another, and different software applications for reading text documents.
PDF documents are standard regardless of the software or app used to view them. Saving and sending it as a PDF ensures that it is viewed as you wrote it, and no information is lost due to differing software version.
Give Reference Opportunity To Say No
Always have a backup plan after asking somebody to be a reference. For every reference type, have two to four people you can list as references.
Ask the people if they would be comfortable being your reference before you add them to your reference list.
Imagine having a stranger call you with no warning asking about a coworker. You will likely not even pick up the phone call or be unprepared to give an objective review of their work.
You don’t want to put your references in that position. Always notify them that you would like to use them as a reference and allow them to agree or refuse.
Choose When to Use a Character Reference
Think critically about when to use a character reference.
They are not often required and can reveal details about your life you would rather stay private or separate from your professional life. If not explicitly asked for, do not include a character reference.
When hiring managers perform a reference check, they sometimes must ask questions regarding your character.
Typically, hiring managers may request a character reference when you have little or no work experience.
They also request it for jobs that require high levels of security or trust, like nannying, intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, and more.
Wrapping Up
References act as social proof that you have the skills you claim to have in your resume.
Hiring managers want to ensure that you are who you claim to be in your resume. This is why they want to consult those who have interacted with you.
When applying for a job, make sure you find out which references are required. If the job listing has yet to specify what types of references are needed, try to include at least two.
