Who to Use for References as a Student (And How to Ask Them)
Posted on Friday, July 28th, 2017
References are an important component of any successful job or placement search. You can have an impressive resume, interesting cover letter, and exemplary portfolio, but for employers there’s nothing like having another person tell them how awesome you are.
You should dedicate some time to choosing who you use as references. Your references can make or break your job hunt efforts.
Here are some foolproof ways to have awesome references.
Who to Ask
1-Ask a Teacher
Teachers and professors are an excellent source of references, particularly if you don’t have a lot of workplace experience.
Because your time spent in the classroom sets the basis for your professional reputation, your teachers are especially well suited to provide references about you—yet another reason to show up to class and do your best.
Presumably, your teachers are already in the industry you’re breaking into. This means that their name may be recognized by potential employers. Even if it’s not, employers will know that your teacher is familiar with how you work in industry-specific situations—making them an awesome point of reference about you.
2-Ask a Coach
…or a volunteer coordinator, or whoever supervises you at your extracurriculars.
If you have them, extracurriculars are a great thing to include on your resume. They’re a great source of transferable skills, and you can learn a lot about life from participating in them.
There’s no better way to build up the importance of those skills than to have your extracurricular supervisor refer you to employers.
3-Ask Your Boss
This is the obvious choice for references. A former supervisor knows how you work under professional conditions, how you interact with both coworkers and clients, and what your best strengths are.
Even if your previous job was in an unrelated field, work supervisors can provide valuable references about your professionalism and conduct. If you can, absolutely include at least one workplace reference.
How to Ask Them
Once you have your list of potential references, it’s time to start reaching out to them.
No matter who you choose to be a reference, the most important thing is that you ask them first. If an employer calls your reference and they’re surprised or even annoyed, it will reflect poorly on you. Always, always, always check with your reference before giving their contact details to a stranger.
It’s best to ask your references early, just as you’re starting your job hunt. You should have them prepared and ready to go before an employer asks you to provide them.
Here’s the best way of doing so.
Phrase Your Question Properly
When you contact your reference, you want to ensure that they know the scope of what you’re asking them to do. If you just ask them to provide a reference, they may not know exactly what you’re looking for.
Instead, ask them if they are comfortable recommending you to potential employers. Follow up with detail about how the reference should be supplied: do they need to write a reference letter, or will potential employers contact them directly. If the latter, are they comfortable with you passing on their contact info?
Always be sure there are no surprises in place for your references.
Remind Them Why You’re Awesome
People are busy. Supervisors—especially those in the service industry—are often juggling a rotating cast of employees, and it can get overwhelming. Trying to remember every person and their behaviour can be difficult.
Make it easier on them by including two or three things they could mention to potential employers. This shouldn’t be too forceful—you don’t want them to feel like you’re telling them what to do.
Instead, say something like:
“Would you be comfortable acting as a reference for me, in light of my work as a team player and customer service representative?”
In that example, what you’re really asking is for your former supervisor to recommend your teamwork and customer service skills. If you did a good job (which you did, of course, because you wouldn’t choose this supervisor as a reference if you didn’t), your supervisor will fill in the blanks.
Say Thanks
Once someone has acted as your reference, your job isn’t over. Being a reference takes time and can land you awesome jobs, so always be sure to thank them.
This can be a phone call or an email, but if you really want to be classy, a handwritten note goes a long way. Show your references some gratitude—say thanks.
If you would like to learn more about the Algonquin College co-op program, please visit our website at https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop/, connect with us at coop@algonquincollege.com or call us at 613-727-4723 Ext.7623. You can also follow us on Twitter @AlgonquinCoop.