What are professional references and why do I need them?

Link to Prior Knowledge: This assignment helps you apply your knowledge from this week’s modules and readings.

Career Connection:A professional reference is a former employer, colleague, supervisor, customer, or employee with whom you work or have worked in the past. A reference can speak to your professional qualifications and recommend you for employment. Your list of references is a separate document from your résumé; you should be ready to provide it to employers when they ask for it.

NACE Competencies: Career Management

Employment References – 40 Points

For this assignment you will create a list of three (3) professional references. Each of your references should include the following information:

1. Name
2. Job Title
3. Company name
4. Company address
5. Phone number
6. Email
7. Brief summary of your professional relationship to you (Was this person you supervisor or co-worker? For how long did you work together?)
8. Click on the word document below to use it as a template. The SS2000 Assignment 4C Employment References Template will allow you to organize your reference information.

(this link opens in a new window/tab) SS2000 Employment References Template(this link opens in a new window/tab) 

You can print the table below and place a check in the “Done” column as you complete each step.

DoneStepTask1Name2Job Title3Company Name4Company Address5Phone Number6Email7Brief summary of your professional relationship to you (Was this person your supervisor or co-worker? For how long did you work together?)

Reference Guidelines:Keep your list of references separate from your résumé. Be ready to provide to employers when asked.Never list a person as a reference until you have gained their permission to do so.Choose references who have direct knowledge of your work performance, not friends or family.Make sure you are certain your references will speak positively of you.You should ask former employers, supervisors, coworkers, or customers.Not much work history? Consider people who know you through babysitting, side jobs, volunteer work, etc.Please do not use any UMA employee (including Instructors) as a personal reference.Your references could make or break your chances of landing a job, so make sure you select the best people to speak on your behalf.