How to Choose Someone to Be a Reference on Your Resume

Choosing who to add to your resume as a reference is an important consideration. Whoever you designate as a reference either professional or personally must be first contacted to gain their permission. Ideally these will be people who know you well. These days it is much more common to add names and contact numbers for potential employers to contact your referees rather than attaching written references. In doing so, make sure your contact details are up to date and check them before sending off your resume for any typing or spelling errors. Also ensure that you have added your referee's job title next to their name.

For a professional reference ask:

co workersFormer bosses (if you have a good relationship with them still!)Business contactsClients or customers

These people must be able to tell your potential employer about the skills, abilities and knowledge you have in order to fill the requirements of this job. It is good idea for your referees to have some time to think about what they might say rather than be put on the spot so ensure that they know the sorts of positions you are applying for and the skills required. This way they can concentrate more on the particular skills that are needed for the job in question when and if they are contacted. Choose people who know how you work- it may be more beneficial to choose a supervisor you worked with rather than the head or owner of a company as he may be more aware of how you perform.

For a personal or character reference ask-

A teacherMentorFamily friendA person in the local communitySomeone from your local club/sporting organisation/coachlandlord

These people must be able to confirm you are of good, sound character and will speak of your more personable qualities rather than your work related characteristics. It is best not to choose family members or close friends. Consider whether your referees are going to paint a positive picture of you and check that they actually feel comfortable speaking about you.

Make sure you thank your referees and keep in contact with them as you may need them to be a reference again at some stage in the future. The people you choose to speak about you certainly can make the difference between obtaining or missing out on that all important job. So choose wisely and carefully.