BDC Hamburger Icon

MENU

Close
BDC Logo
Search Icon
ArrowCareer
ArrowCareers
Advertising Disclosure
Close
Advertising Disclosure

Business.com aims to help business owners make informed decisions to support and grow their companies. We research and recommend products and services suitable for various business types, investing thousands of hours each year in this process.

As a business, we need to generate revenue to sustain our content. We have financial relationships with some companies we cover, earning commissions when readers purchase from our partners or share information about their needs. These relationships do not dictate our advice and recommendations. Our editorial team independently evaluates and recommends products and services based on their research and expertise. Learn more about our process and partners here.

Updated Sep 19, 2024

How Important Are Job References?

Who you list as your reference can have a big impact on your ability to land a job.

author image
Written By: Skye SchooleySenior Lead Analyst & Expert on Business Operations
Verified CheckEditor Verified:
Verified Check
Editor Verified
Close
A business.com editor verified this analysis to ensure it meets our standards for accuracy, expertise and integrity.
Shari Weiss
Senior Editor & Expert on Business Operations
Business.com earns commissions from some listed providers. Editorial Guidelines.
Table Of Contents Icon

Table of Contents

Open row

Job references are important for the employer and the potential employee. Employers typically use references to make hiring decisions and a lack of them can hurt your chances of getting a position. It could even lead an employer to choose another candidate over you. 

References should be close friends or colleagues. These individuals should be able to effortlessly point out all your strengths and act as your cheerleader to help you get that next job. Let’s look at how to navigate the hiring process while providing references that help you stay competitive in the job market.

The importance of job references 

While a one-on-one interview can give a recruiter or employer valuable insight, speaking to references with an established relationship with the candidate can help find the right fit. Here are a few ways job references are important.

Stand out from the competition

When everyone is trying to pad their resume with skills and experience, it can be difficult to whittle down candidates. “References can help a hiring manager who is teetering between two candidates, affirm a gut feeling or possibly provide insight into a question mark,” said Claudia Johnson, senior vice president, human capital, at professional search and staffing firm Addison Group.

Use your network to impress

Using top-level references in the industry you are applying for can impress a recruiter or potential employer. The more you network in your current job, the easier it will be to level up in your next.

Provide unbiased insights

Everyone does their best to showcase their strengths and skills on a resume, but only outside references can give an unbiased view of your suitability for the job. Companies want candidates who can fit easily into their workplace culture and meet productivity standards. A hiring manager can use references to get to know the real you.

Although you should typically avoid personal references, they can be used instead of professional references under certain circumstances. For example, if you don’t have previous work experience or your previous employer has a “no reference” policy, Sue Andrews, business and human resources (HR) consultant at KIS Finance, said you can use a character reference from a teacher or someone else in a position of authority who knows you well.

Prepare references regardless of a company’s policies

A list of credible references should always be a tool in one’s job hunting toolbox. Still, there is a slight possibility that your references may not be contacted, depending on the company you are applying to.

“It may also be the company’s policy not to ask for references,” said Johnson. “I see this a lot with larger firms who may have other steps in place, such as certain tests and cross-department or role interviews.” Regardless of the company’s policies, it is still wise to have access to your professional references, just in case.

When and how employers check your job references

Andrews said most employers wait until they are at the final shortlisting stage before contacting references. When they do check, she said, it is usually in writing or via email, but some employers may also call. 

According to Johnson, hiring managers typically will ask for three professional references. The references you provide should each offer unique value to the employer.

“Candidates should provide a mix of references, including someone they previously reported to, a peer and/or somebody from a different department that they worked closely with,” said Johnson.

When employers speak with these references, they will be checking the claims in your resume and interview. Andrews said to resist the temptation to exaggerate your skills and experience as it could backfire on you during this stage. [Read related: Who Are You Hiring? The Shocking Cost of Resume Fraud]

What questions a hiring manager may ask your job references

A hiring manager can ask your references several types of questions. According to Andrews, hiring managers typically verify how the reference knows you, then move on to questions about your tenure.

“They’ll want to verify any information that you’ve provided, such as job titles, key responsibilities and potentially pay, to make sure that this stacks up against what you’ve told them,” said Andrews. “They’ll also want to check out any claims that you’ve made, such as projects that you’ve undertaken or results that you’ve delivered.”

>> Learn More: 8 Hiring Challenges Facing Small Business Owners

Common questions a hiring manager asks your references:

  • How long have you known the job candidate?
  • Are they skilled in our current job requirements? 
  • What key responsibilities did they contribute to your company’s productivity? 
  • What was the pay scale? Salary or hourly? 
  • How long did they work for you? Were there any breaks in employment I should know about? 
  • Did you have any issues with them being on time? 
  • What are some of their strengths? 
  • What are some of their weaknesses? 
  • Are they a team player? 

The hiring manager may even provide details about the job you’re applying for and ask the reference if they think you would be a good fit. [Read related: 10 HR Interview Questions for Employers]

TipBottom line
Be careful not to burn bridges. “A key question that most will ask is whether the person giving the reference would rehire you and why,” said Andrews. “For this reason, it’s always best to try to leave a job on good terms, even if you’re leaving because you don’t like working there, as you want to have left a positive impression behind.”

Who to list as your job references

As Johnson said, include a mix of professional references who can emphasize your positive attributes. For example, a manager can attest to your punctuality and ability to meet deadlines, whereas a co-worker can attest to your teamwork skills. A current or former client can speak on behalf of your excellent customer service skills and a supervisee can comment on your management abilities. Job hunting college graduates can also use former professors.

Andrews said the best job references are from direct managers who know you well and can speak confidently and positively about your abilities.

>> Learn More: Job satisfaction study

The best mix of professional references to provide:

  • Managers (direct manager is best)
  • Co-workers
  • Current or former clients
  • Supervisees
  • Leaders at organizations you have volunteered for
  • Teachers or mentors

“You want someone who is familiar with your work and can talk knowledgeably about your achievements,” Andrews said. “If possible, avoid asking for a reference from someone whose own written or verbal skills are lacking, as this could mean a less-than-enthusiastic reference.”

FYIDid you know
If you are applying for a new job without informing your current employer, it’s OK to exclude their information from your reference list until the final HR interview stages.

“Once the new employer is at the final decision stage, they will probably want a reference from your most recent manager,” said Andrews. “In this case, you can ask for a firm job offer to be made first, which can be subject to a good reference.”

Why bad references can hurt your job prospects

A bad reference is often imagined as a spiteful past employer who says slanderous things about you. However, employee defamation laws make it uncommon for previous employers to spread damaging lies about candidates. 

Did You Know?Did you know
Several forms of evidence are needed to prove workplace defamation. You will need to provide the false statement and show that it was communicated to a third party without the employer being asked for it. The false statement must also be defamatory and have caused harm or damage.

Instead, a bad reference is typically someone who is ill-prepared, quiet or unresponsive. If a reference speaks in vague terms or gives short responses, it may reflect poorly on you.

According to Andrews, most hiring managers will understand if a reference isn’t as positive as you had hoped as long as you have a genuine explanation for the discrepancies.

“Maybe you just didn’t get along with a particular manager or perhaps they are still aggrieved that you left the organization,” said Andrews. “However, if there’s a pattern to the references, such as reports of poor performance or being difficult to manage, then this will be very damaging to your job prospects.”

Choose your job references carefully. Andrews advised that prospects who foresee potential issues with a reference or past employer should inform the hiring manager upfront to prevent surprises later.

Bottom LineBottom line
If you are actively seeking a new job opportunity, a negative reference could have a spiral effect on your career. It could also cause significant damage to your reputation.

How to get good job references

Getting a good job reference takes effort. Don’t just list a few random co-workers and a former boss. Expect them to be available and prepared to praise you. 

Since a recruiter or potential employer usually calls references, consider speaking with each potential reference to see how they react when talking with you on the phone. Always end with “Are you willing to be a favorable reference?” If they hesitate at all, it’s best to choose another reference who is confident in your skills.

Johnson said this notification will prepare your reference for what’s to come, minimizing the risk of being caught off guard and accidentally giving you a less-than-stellar reference.

Give your references details about each job opportunity. References could be the deciding factor between the final round of candidates, so providing them with a heads-up about the personality and skill set of the person calling can be a huge help, too.

If one of your references is contacted and they tell you, it’s best to follow up with a thank-you note. You can even go one step further and offer to repay the favor. You never know when you will need them as a reference again and good references can be difficult to come by.

Good job references best practices:

  • Ask your references for permission before providing their information to a recruiter or potential employer.
  • Notify your reference every time you apply for a new position.
  • Be transparent about what the new position entails and what qualities/skills you want them to feature.
  • Keep up with who may be contacting them (name and position).
  • Thank the reference every time they notify you that they’ve been contacted. Offer to repay the favor.

Additional reporting by Julie Thompson. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.

Did you find this content helpful?
Verified CheckThank you for your feedback!
author image
Written By: Skye SchooleySenior Lead Analyst & Expert on Business Operations
Skye Schooley is a dedicated business professional who is especially passionate about human resources and digital marketing. For more than a decade, she has helped clients navigate the employee recruitment and customer acquisition processes, ensuring small business owners have the knowledge they need to succeed and grow their companies. At business.com, Schooley covers the ins and outs of hiring and onboarding, employee monitoring, PEOs and HROs, employee benefits and more. In recent years, Schooley has enjoyed evaluating and comparing HR software and other human resources solutions to help businesses find the tools and services that best suit their needs. With a degree in business communications, she excels at simplifying complicated subjects and interviewing business vendors and entrepreneurs to gain new insights. Her guidance spans various formats, including newsletters, long-form videos and YouTube Shorts, reflecting her commitment to providing valuable expertise in accessible ways.
BDC Logo

Get Weekly 5-Minute Business Advice

B. newsletter is your digest of bite-sized news, thought & brand leadership, and entertainment. All in one email.

Back to top