Identify Your 4 to 6 Best References
A strong reference list assembled in advance means you are never scrambling when an employer asks. For employed candidates the additional challenge is ensuring your references are people who will not inadvertently mention your search to your current employer or mutual industry contacts.
A strong reference list assembled in advance means you are never scrambling when an employer asks. For employed candidates the additional challenge is ensuring your references are people who will not inadvertently mention your search to your current employer or mutual industry contacts.
Step by Step
Understand the constraint for employed candidates Your current manager is almost certainly off-limits as a reference until you have an offer in hand and are ready to give notice. Your current colleagues may also be risky if they are connected to your current employer's network.
Focus your reference list on former employers and contacts The strongest references for an employed candidate are:
Former managers from previous roles who know your work well
Former close colleagues from previous companies
Former clients or stakeholders from previous roles
Professional mentors or contacts outside your current company
Write a list of 6 to 8 potential references and select your strongest 4 to 6 Prioritize people who knew your work in depth, will be enthusiastic and specific, are easy to contact, and are outside your current company's network.
Consider what each reference will say For each person on your list think about what they are likely to say about you. Are they enthusiastic? Will they be specific? Are they reliable and responsive? The answers determine their position on your list.
Tips for success
It is completely acceptable to tell a potential employer that you cannot provide your current manager as a reference at this stage but are happy to do so once you have reached the offer stage. Most employers understand this completely.
If you have been in your current role for a long time and most of your strong references are from many years ago it is worth considering whether any current colleagues outside your immediate team could serve as references discreetly.