Job candidates are often asked to provide a list of contacts who can attest to their character and capabilities. A personal reference is an individual who speaks credibly about your reliability, integrity, and work ethic, typically outside a direct employer-employee relationship. Employers request these references to gain a holistic perspective that goes beyond professional achievements listed on a resume. This character assessment helps hiring managers understand how a candidate might fit into a team environment and interact with others professionally.
Identifying Appropriate Personal References
Choosing the right people requires selecting individuals who have witnessed your commitment, responsibility, or specific skills over a meaningful period. The individual must be able to articulate concrete examples of your positive attributes rather than simply confirming your acquaintance. Suitable candidates are those who have observed you in structured environments where accountability and performance were measured, even if informally.
Former Mentors or Coaches
Former mentors or coaches are an excellent choice because they have observed your ability to take direction, persevere through challenges, and develop skills over time. They can speak to your discipline, how you respond to constructive feedback, and your dedication to improvement, often in a high-pressure setting. This perspective offers proof of your capacity for growth and self-motivation, which translates directly to workplace success.
Teachers or Professors
Teachers and professors are highly credible references because they evaluate students based on academic responsibility, intellectual curiosity, and timely completion of complex assignments. They can speak specifically about your analytical abilities, communication skills, and your capacity to manage long-term projects. A reference from an instructor demonstrates that you can perform reliably under academic rigor.
Volunteer Coordinators
Volunteer coordinators provide strong testimony regarding your initiative, reliability, and teamwork outside of a paid employment context. They observe how you manage time constraints, interact with diverse groups, and maintain enthusiasm for tasks without the incentive of a salary. Their assessment often focuses on your commitment to a shared goal and your ability to follow through on responsibilities.
Religious or Community Leaders
Leaders in religious or community organizations often have a unique perspective on your ethical framework, trustworthiness, and long-term commitment to a group. They can speak to your moral character, your willingness to contribute to the greater good, and your dependability in maintaining civic or organizational duties. This type of reference is valuable for roles requiring integrity and public trust.
Long-Term Neighbors or Acquaintances
Long-term neighbors or professional acquaintances, such as a former client or vendor, can be suitable if they have witnessed your character over many years. A neighbor might attest to your stability, honesty, and consistent demeanor within the community. An acquaintance who is not a friend can speak to your professional conduct or reputation within your field from an outside perspective.
People to Avoid Including
Selecting contacts for a personal reference list requires careful exclusion of certain relationships that undermine the credibility of the recommendation. The most immediate category to exclude is any family member, including parents, siblings, or spouses, regardless of their professional standing. A recommendation from a relative is inherently viewed as biased and offers little value to a hiring manager seeking an objective character assessment.
Current or former direct supervisors should also be avoided, as these individuals are considered professional references. Using a supervisor in this context may confuse the hiring process, which often requires separate lists for each type of endorsement.
Finally, casual friends who have only observed your social life should not be listed. While they may know you well, their testimony lacks the context needed to assure an employer of your professional habits, reliability, or work ethic.
Essential Preparation Steps
The process of securing a strong reference begins long before an employer makes contact, requiring proactive communication and organization. The first step involves asking each individual for explicit permission to be listed as a reference before providing their contact information. Listing someone without this courtesy is unprofessional and can result in the person being unprepared or hesitant when called.
Once permission is secured, provide the reference with comprehensive documentation to refresh their memory and guide their talking points. This package should include your most recent resume, a copy of the specific job description, and a brief description of the company’s mission. Supplying these materials ensures the reference can tailor their comments to the specific requirements of the role, making their endorsement more targeted and effective.
Remind the reference of specific projects, accomplishments, or positive anecdotes they witnessed firsthand. For example, if a former coach is listed, remind them of a time you demonstrated leadership or consistently showed up early. Highlighting these specific instances gives the reference concrete, evidence-based examples to share instead of relying on generic praise.
You must also inform the individual about the expected timeline for the hiring process and the likely method of contact. This preparation allows them to anticipate the call and ensure they are available to respond promptly. Confirming their current contact information, including their preferred phone number and professional email address, is the final procedural step.
Guidelines for Listing and Submission
When assembling the final document, candidates should aim to provide between two and three personal references. The list should be presented on a separate, professional document that matches the formatting of your resume and cover letter. This practice maintains a clean, organized aesthetic throughout the application materials.
Each entry must contain all necessary details for the employer to make contact efficiently and understand the context of the relationship. This includes the reference’s full legal name, their current job title or relationship to you, and their primary phone number. Providing a professional email address is also mandatory, as many employers prefer to initiate contact via written correspondence.
The timing of the submission is determined by the employer’s request, so the reference list should not be included with the initial application materials. A common practice is to include the phrase “References available upon request” at the bottom of the resume. Only submit the full list once the hiring manager specifically asks for it, indicating you have progressed to a serious stage of consideration.