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A critical aspect of any resume is the list of references commonly placed at the bottom of the resume or on an attached sheet. References are invaluable to any interviewer and company who wants an insider’s perspective on your day to day work ethic, personality and conflict-resolution. The interviewer sees you in a well-constructed formal environment for less than hour, so he or she will want to speak with someone who has worked with you for a significant period of time.
Who to pick
There are no set rules on who you can ask to be a reference on your resume, but you should be sure that the people you choose can talk about your work on a specific job or project in a positive way. Former employers are a clear choice as is a current supervisor. Your current supervisor may have to abide by privacy rules specific to the company, however, so be sure to list two to three references total. You may also choose professors who can talk about your academic background or club supervisors who have seen your dedication to a specific group and cause. Be sure your references have or had a close working relationship with you and know you personally.
Who not to pick
Personal references such as a parent or relative should never be included. Every parent is biased to his or her child’s abilities so an employer will not be interested in their feedback or that of a relative. Family friends should be cited sparingly. Only use family friends as a last resort if you do not have a lot of work experience. Be sure that the family friend has known you for a good length of time and can speak about your character. Do not pick any past employer or former coworker who may speak negatively about your work performance. References should boost your resume, not detract from it.
Notify your choices
Once you have determined the people who will serve as the best references, contact them via phone or e-mail to inform them that you have added their name and contact information to your resume. Confirm their official job title, phone number and e-mail so the information on your resume is accurate. Talk with them about your career goals along with past jobs and volunteer work so that they are prepared to talk about you if an interviewer calls.
References are a valuable tool to market yourself and market your past job experiences. By picking people who have seen you succeed professionally and personally, they will help the interviewer see what a great opportunity the company has in you as a future employee.