Prepare your references
Employers often request professional references late in the hiring process. Prepare them in advance.
Who should you choose?
Good references
- Former direct managers who know your work well.
- Experienced colleagues who worked closely with you.
- Clients for commercial or consulting roles.
- Teachers or mentors for early-career applicants.
Avoid
- Family members or close friends.
- People who do not know your work professionally.
- Former managers with whom you had unresolved disagreements.
Practical tips
- Prepare three or four references from different professional contexts.
- Ask permission before a recruiter contacts them.
- Tell them about the role and strengths you hope they can discuss.
- Thank them afterwards by email or on LinkedIn.
- Stay in touch with former managers.
- Ask for LinkedIn recommendations too.
Validation checklist
0 / 6Format and presentation
How to present your references
Suggested format (share on request)
[First and last name]
[Current position], [Current company]
Relationship: my direct manager at [company] for two years (2020–2022).
Email: [professional email]
Phone: [number] (optional)
Practical tips
- Share references only when asked.
- Adapt your references to the role: technical or managerial.
- If you draft a recommendation, keep it factual.
- Never publish your references’ contact details openly.
- Check that their information is up to date.