Having strong references on your resume when applying for a job is like having someone in your corner, ready to defend your professional and personal character if a hiring manager decides to do some checking up. References can and should work to your advantage, and can help you secure a position if the hiring manager has several potential candidates in mind for the job. However, sometimes people have a tough time choosing references, which is why we’re going to help you choose strong references that will boost your chances of getting hired! Here are a few tips for choosing your job references:

  1. Think before you select. Before writing someone’s name down as a reference, think about that person’s character—both professional and personal. Are they quick on their feet if your potential employer asks a challenging question? Do they have enough personality to help sway the hiring manager’s decision in your favor? Make sure you pick someone that’s lively and ready to talk you up, rather than simply give facts about your employment history in a monotone voice.
  2. Ask first. Even if you’re certain that the reference you choose won’t mind going to bat for you, it never hurts to ask their permission. A reference that doesn’t actually know they’re a reference might be caught off guard and stumble if a potential employer calls, which only reflects poorly on you. Also, if a person is uncomfortable with being a reference, they’re probably not the person you want speaking on your behalf, so be sure to get references that are completely willing to help you out.
  3. Keep people in the loop. Make sure you keep your references up-to-date on your professional life—especially if they are called as a professional reference. They should be on the same page as you are and be able to validate what you have already told your potential employer. If you have a LinkedIn account, simply send the reference a link to your profile and ask them to familiarize themselves with it!
  4. Choose references that are easy to contact. Leave as much contact information as the reference you listed is willing to provide, which should include their name, job title, relation to you (former boss, co-worker, etc.), company name, address and either phone number, e-mail or both! References are pointless if they cannot be contacted, so choose people that will take the time to help you achieve your professional goals.

If you have any other tips for choosing strong references, let us know in the comments section, and for more tips, check out this article!