Reference checks are commonly conducted as part of the application process for jobs or other positions and opportunities, (such as leadership roles, organization memberships, scholarships, awards, graduate school admissions) to further your professional career. A Professional Reference is an individual who can attest to your academic achievements, career-readiness competencies, and/or workplace ethics. It is important to identify individuals with whom you have a good rapport and who can provide the best information that supports your qualifications. When developing a pool of potential references, you may consider using a current or previous supervisor, employer, customer, professor, advisor and/or colleague. Once you have identified the potential references, contact them to request their permission to be used as a professional reference.
Reference lists are requested in various ways which may be verbal, written or via an application portal/platform. It is good practice to maintain an up-to-date list of three to five professional references with accurate contact information. When you are actively applying for employment (or other professional-related opportunities), be sure to communicate with your references so that they can expect a “reference check” call or email.