Remember choosing references to include in your undergraduate or graduate school application? You thoughtfully chose people who could communicate positively on your behalf. Now you’re in the search, and guess what? References are often part of the search process in a US based search. For today, we’re covering the “nuts and bolts” of a reference.
🔩 If you haven’t heard the phrase “nuts & bolts” is means the most basic, practical information about a topic.
What role do references play in the hiring process?
Hiring is costly. It takes time, money, and human capital to name a few. And it’s risky. If an organization hires the wrong person, it can be problematic for a team and achieving goals. References help the hiring organization make a more informed decision. Organizations may also use references as part of the background check process.
Here are a few examples of the insight references can provide.
- Confirm experiences and parts of your background you’ve shared in the process
- Answer questions they may still have about your background
- Provide an assessment of your ability to perform well in the job
- Answer questions about how they will be able to help you thrive in the role/organization/field
- Provide their opinion on whether they would hire you for the role
When will I be asked for references?
You may be asked for a reference at any point in the process, so it’s helpful to confirm a group of people who will serve as references for you earlier in your process. This doesn’t have to be a static group. You can add and remove individuals as you continue through your master’s degree and have different experiences.
Here is a sample list of when you might be asked to provide references.
- Within the initial job application
- As part of the interview process, especially toward the end when a hiring manager is trying to create a final candidates’ list
- After receiving the offer to complete the background check
How do I decide who to ask to be a reference?
Be thoughtful about who you ask to be a reference. Choose people who can speak to your experience, character, specific skills, professional habits and approaches. Remember, the hiring organization may want to confirm claims you made in your interview and your background. You want references who can speak positively about you using specific examples, not generalities.
Here are a few ideas of people to consider.
- Previous supervisor
- Current/Previous Collaborator
- Peer
- Professor
You may be asked to provide multiple references. If that’s the case, consider a group of individuals who can provide multiple perspectives for the hiring manager. For example, one previous supervisor, one current collaborator and a past teacher.
How will my references be contacted?
They may be contacted by phone, email, video call or sent a survey form to complete. In some cases, they could be asked to provide a letter but that is less common now in industry.
