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Career Services in Coda! [Katie Rivard]
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Lesson: Gather Your References
5 minute read
Before applying for jobs, you’ll need a handful of things to submit. One of the most overlooked, yet important, pieces of this process is a list of contacts who can vouch for the work you do and your character as a person, employee, and colleague.
Your professional references are just as important to getting hired as your resume. And to ensure you have the proper people speaking to hiring managers about you, do your research before curating the list.
Most companies will request anywhere between two to five references. These should be people you’ve worked for—or with—in the past, and who you still have a professional relationship with. Examples include former teachers or professors, your Designlab mentors, and your current or previous line manager. You shouldn’t include family members or friends in this list. While they may be able to talk you up, they don’t have the right kind of insight into how you conduct yourself professionally.
Once you gather the list of people you feel would be comfortable in referring you, it’s always common courtesy to reach out to them prior to submitting their information. As well as helping to ensure they have your back if they get a call, it’s also an opportunity to verify that you have the latest contact information for them, and that they are prepared to answer any questions that might arise.
When asking for their approval to be a reference, be courteous and kind. You can ask to follow up with them to see whether or not they receive a call or email from the hiring manager. If they did, be sure to thank them for their time. By doing so, you’ll stay in their good books, and be able to put them down again next time.
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