Lesson 19 — Activity 3: References
Completion requirements
Lesson 19 — Activity 3: References
The last section of your résumé contains the names of the references you wish to include. A reference on a résumé is someone the employer could call to find out what kind of employee you would be. Choose your references carefully!
Who makes a good reference?
Be sure that the people you use as references know you well enough to be able to tell an employer about you. They cannot be people who know you only as a friend or relative. Employers rarely think that friends or relatives will be completely honest about your abilities as a worker. Your friends and relatives really want you to get a job, so they might not tell about any negative traits you have.
Who makes a good reference?
Be sure that the people you use as references know you well enough to be able to tell an employer about you. They cannot be people who know you only as a friend or relative. Employers rarely think that friends or relatives will be completely honest about your abilities as a worker. Your friends and relatives really want you to get a job, so they might not tell about any negative traits you have.
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The following people are good choices as references:
You need to be sure that the people you use as references know you are doing so. An employer will not think you are responsible if your references do not know they are on your résumé! You should call your references and let them know when and where you have been applying for jobs so they will not be taken by surprise if an employer calls to ask about you.
- Past employers — If you were a productive employee and left the job on good terms, you should ask your former employer to act as a reference.
- Past co-workers — If you worked hard and got along well with your co-workers, you should ask their permission to use them as references.
- Volunteer coordinators — If you volunteer, you should be able to use the person in charge of your volunteer work as a reference.
- Teachers or principals — If you have a teacher who thinks well of you, you should ask if he or she will act as a reference.
- Community leaders — If you know a club leader, church group leader, sports coach, or someone in a similar position, consider asking that person to give a reference.
You need to be sure that the people you use as references know you are doing so. An employer will not think you are responsible if your references do not know they are on your résumé! You should call your references and let them know when and where you have been applying for jobs so they will not be taken by surprise if an employer calls to ask about you.
You can choose to list your references on your résumé.
(Use REFERENCES as the last heading and list the references with their addresses and telephone numbers.) Many people like to include the reference list on the cover letter, which you will learn about next. You may choose instead to state that your references are "available upon request" and keep that contact information on a separate sheet you can give to employers who ask for it. However, that delays getting the information to the possible employer.
(Use REFERENCES as the last heading and list the references with their addresses and telephone numbers.) Many people like to include the reference list on the cover letter, which you will learn about next. You may choose instead to state that your references are "available upon request" and keep that contact information on a separate sheet you can give to employers who ask for it. However, that delays getting the information to the possible employer.
Watch this video to review tips for writing a résumé.