References

Professional references are people who can speak to your work quality, character, and skills when contacted by a prospective employer. They are distinct from reference letters, which are written documents. **Who to ask:** - Former managers (most valuable — they supervised your work directly) - Senior colleagues who can speak to specific projects - Direct reports if you've managed people - Clients or partners (if appropriate and they'd respond quickly) **Who to avoid:** - Friends or family - Former colleagues you haven't spoken to in years - Anyone you're unsure will give you a strong endorsement **When employers ask:** Reference requests come late in the process — typically after final-round interviews and before an offer. Preparing your reference sheet in advance means you're not scrambling when a request comes. **Format of a reference sheet:** Separate document (not on your resume). For each reference: Full name, current title, current company, relationship to you (e.g., 'Direct manager at Acme Corp, 2021-2023'), email, and phone. **Do NOT include 'References available upon request' on your resume.** Every recruiter knows you have references. It wastes a line and dates your resume. **Proactively brief your references:** Tell them the specific role you've applied for and what aspects of your work are most relevant to highlight.