When Applying for Jobs: Should I Ask People if I Can Use Them as a Reference?

As the job market evolves, so too does the landscape of job applications. Gone are the days when personal or merely coworker references were sufficient. With employers now seeking managerial references, it has become crucial to maintain a network of professional contacts and, importantly, to ask for their permission to use them as references. Here’s why it's essential to seek your potential references' consent before including them in your job applications.

Respect for Their Time and Comfort

Firstly, asking for references is a sign of respect and consideration for their time and comfort. Your references may be busy individuals, and they may need to prepare for potential contact from future employers. Asking well in advance not only shows respect but also prevents any potential awkwardness or discomfort they might feel about being contacted unexpectedly. This courteous approach can strengthen your professional relationship and make them more willing to provide a strong reference for you.

Ensuring Willingness and Providing Context

Before including a reference in your job applications, ensure they are willing to provide you with a reference. Some individuals may feel uncomfortable or may not have a positive view of your work, which can negatively impact your candidacy. Additionally, asking for their reference allows you to provide context about the job you're applying for and the skills or experiences you would like them to highlight. This can help you align your application with the company's needs more effectively.

Suggesting Email as the Medium of Communication

When reaching out, I usually opt for email. Consider sending something along these lines:

"Hi [Name], I hope you are doing well and that business is booming for you. Irsquo;m applying for new jobs [mention reason] and I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a reference for me. I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know if it's okay to use your name. Please give my best to Charlie in shipping. [Add a personal touch to remind them of your interaction] Irsquo;m excited for the new opportunities. Thanks again!"

If your reference doesn’t want to be used, they will likely respond with a polite "don’t" in their email. Those who are willing often respond with questions about their company or the roles they’re considering, reflecting an interest in staying connected.

Using Former Employers as References

For job applications, I generally use email to connect with former employers. While it is possible to use friends, it's generally not advisable. When sending the email, it's important to be clear about the role you're applying for and why you believe they would be a great reference. Here’s an example of such an email:

"Hi [Name], I hope you are doing well and that business is booming for you. I’m applying for new jobs not enough growth here/[add reason for change]. I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a reference for me. I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know if it's okay to use your name. Please give my best to Charlie in shipping. Irsquo;m excited for the new opportunities. Thanks again!"

When you have a reference from a former employer, the relationship can be even more beneficial. Reference requests often come without warning, and knowing in advance that a reference may be contacted can help the process go more smoothly. This can be especially important if the job has nothing to do with the reference's current industry or if the reference is no longer in the same department.

Preventing Misinformation and Disqualification

Having a prepared reference can prevent misunderstandings and disqualifications. For instance, you might ask a former employer to highlight a specific project where you improved the database queries to produce a graph. Failing to do so can result in you being asked to provide incorrect dates or details, which can make your application seem less credible. Even worse, you might receive vague answers that do not paint a favorable picture of your work or provide no reference at all.

Here’s an example email to a former employer:

"Hi [Name], I hope you are doing well and that business is booming for you. I’m applying for new jobs and I was wondering if you would be willing to serve as a reference for me. I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know if it's okay to use your name. Specifically, I would be grateful if you could mention a project we were both involved with where [you modified the database queries to produce a graph, or any relevant experience]. Please give my best to Charlie in shipping. Irsquo;m excited for the new opportunities. Thanks again!"

By being proactive in your reference requests and asking for specific details, you can better position yourself for success in your job applications.