Creating a professional references list

What are professional references?

Professional references are people who can talk about your work and skills. They are usually former managers, supervisors, or coworkers who know you well.

Employers may call or email your references to learn how you work, what you are good at, and if you are a good fit for the job. You may be asked to share a list of your references when you apply or after an interview.

If someone asks you for your references, it is a good sign. It means that you are a strong candidate for the job.

Learn more about other types of references.

Who should be a professional reference?

Choose people who know you well and can speak positively about your work. They should respond quickly and communicate in a professional way. Your references must also be able to describe your experience clearly.

It is best to include:

A manager or supervisor from a past job
A coworker or team member
A teacher, professor, or mentor
A volunteer coordinator or community leader

If you have never worked in the USA, you can list international references. In these cases, write down what time the person would be available to speak if there is a time difference.

Do not list friends or family unless you have worked for them in a professional setting.

Your local library or American Job Center can help you with resumes, applications, and job search support.

Find help

How to ask someone to be your reference

Before adding someone to your list, always ask for their permission. Contact your former employers or coworkers and explain that you are applying for jobs. You can share with them:

Your updated resume with your references, so they remember your skills and responsibilities.
Tell them what kind of job you are applying for so they can highlight the right skills. For example, if you are applying to work as a cashier, they can talk about your customer service skills and reliability.

When two or three people have agreed, you are ready to make a list of their names and contact information. It is helpful to create a list of professional references as soon as you start looking for a job.