Education and Child Matters

I AM L.I.P

I am a Litigant In Person

What About Job References?

 

WHAT IS A JOB REFERENCE?

A job reference is when an individual you know has agreed to confirm details about you, vouch for you and will put forward their thoughts about a specific aspect of you.

A job reference is required by most prospective employers

WHAT IS A REFEREE?

A referee is the word used to describe the individual who has agreed to give you a reference.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOB REFERENCES?

  1. Academic reference – This reference is given by a tutor, academic adviser, or teacher. It will probably confirm your education details and speak about your academic achievements.
  2. Personal reference – This reference will be given by an individual who knows you well in a social or relaxed setting outside of school and work. This type of reference will show your prospective employer what you are like as a person, maybe some information on your skills, and your character.
  3. Employment reference – This reference is given by your current employer if you are in a job or by your past employer if you are not. This reference will give your prospective employer an insight into your employment achievements, experience and abilities. For young school leavers you can ask someone who you babysit for or someone who you do odd jobs for as a referee.
  4. Professional reference – This reference is given by an individual who knows you on a professional level and will give insight into your professional ability and capabilities. 

HOW MANY JOB REFERENCES DO MOST PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS REQUIRE?

Whether you send in a CV or complete an application form, your possible future employer will require 2 references. In most cases one will be a personal reference and the other an academic one. Some may ask for a current employer reference if you are in employment.

WHAT INFORMATION WOULD A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR REFEREE?

Prospective employers will probably require the following information:

  1. Title of referee
  2. Full name
  3. Postal address
  4. Landline or mobile number or both
  5. Email address

Prospective employers may also require the following information in addition to the above:

  1. Occupation of your referee
  2. Their position in their place of work
  3. How long have they known the applicant (you)
  4. What is the nature of the relationship between you and the referee

WHAT SHOULD YOU REMEMBER WHEN ARRANGING YOUR JOB REFERENCES?

Please remember the following points when you arrange your references:

  1. Choose your referee’s wisely. Make sure they have a good opinion about you and can write you a decent reference.
  2. Always ask permission from the individual whose name you are writing down as a referee first.
  3. Inform them which organisations/employers you will be giving their name to for a reference.  
  4. Ask your referee to give you their title, full name and all contact details (postal address, telephone numbers and email address). They can send these to you via email. Alternatively if you have the details already, please check with them that the spellings and the details are correct, and have not changed. Also ask whether they would be happy for you to forward these details. 
  5. Ask your referee how they would prefer to be contacted.

SHOULD YOU WRITE YOUR REFEREE’S DETAILS ON YOUR CV

If you are sending a prospective employer your CV you can write that your references are available upon request. If they offer you the job then they will ask.

However, if your CV is very short and you do not have much to write then including your references will fill out your CV.

SHOULD YOU WRITE YOUR REFEREE’S DETAILS ON YOUR APPLICATION FORM

An application form will probably ask you and expect you to write down your references as you fill in your application form.

A THANK YOU EMAIL OR CARD

When your referee has given your prospective employer a reference please remember to thank them. You can do it via email or text or better still a thank you card.

NORMALLY A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER WILL CONTACT THE REFEREE FOR A REFERENCE. CAN YOU ALSO ASK FOR ONE DIRECTLY FROM YOUR REFEREE AND GIVE IT YOURSELF?

The answer to this question will depend on what you are applying for and how the prospective employer operates. 

In certain cases you can take a reference with you to show a prospective employer. However, it is best to contact the HR department of the organisation you are applying to to make sure. 

FURTHER READING

LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR REFERENCES; YOUR RIGHTS