Who is appropriate for a reference

Which people can best vouch for you? Here are a few things you should consider. Ideally, your list should include a mixture of former and current bosses, coworkers, and subordinates. Ask coworkers who have thanked you for help on projects. One, offer to provide references outside of your organization — consultants, advisors, lawyers, or clients — who can speak to the quality of your job performance. Or two, offer to provide references once the new company makes you a formal job offer.

If the manager wants to learn more about your leadership style, then he should speak to your former and current direct reports. If he wants to check your ability to develop a strategy, bosses are the people to call. If he wants to learn about your ability to influence, he ought to talk to peers.

Remember: the quality of the references you offer is a reflection on you. Offer context Help your references offer the best possible endorsement by providing them with information about the role you are being considered for and why you want the job.

Also ask different references to highlight different talents and strengths, she says. In hiring circumstances like these, you need to take a different approach. Recount a time in your past where you picked up new professional responsibilities, spearheaded a cross-functional project, or took on a new geography, then think about colleagues with whom you worked closely then. Perhaps the hiring manager and your former boss share an alma mater. Or maybe the she once worked at the same company as one of your close colleagues.

If possible, you should choose someone who has supervised you professionally or who has worked closely with you. A manager, supervisor or even a co-worker from a casual job may be able to speak to your work habits or transferable skills the skills that you can take from one job to another. They can say, for example, that you are reliable, friendly, organized, and a good problem solver. Other references could include someone who is aware of your work habits or skills through your volunteer or community work.

Academic references are also acceptable and may even be preferable, depending on the situation. If you have been to school recently in Canada, consider asking your teacher to be a reference for you, particularly if you think they can speak positively about your skills and character. Character references can substitute for work references if there are no other alternatives.

They can be friends, a landlord, clients or anyone who can speak to your good personal qualities such as your honesty, dependability, good nature, etc. If they have firsthand knowledge of your work skills, that is even more useful.

Close relatives are not generally acceptable references and neither are people who do not know you well. You may not want to include references from areas of your life you prefer to keep private or that may conflict with your interviewer's values. For example, personal counsellors, therapists, religious leaders or leaders of political or military parties in your home country may not always be appropriate references. If you still do not have enough references, you may want to consider taking a course in your field of interest.

If you participate in class and make a good impression, the teacher or other program staff may be willing to act as a reference for you. Need some help with that? G et a free resume evaluation today from the experts at Monster's Resume Writing Service. You'll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review of your resume's appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiter's first impression. Monster's experts can show you all the little ways you can improve your resume and become someone for whom references will go out of their way to praise.

Thank you! You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon. By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy , terms of use and use of cookies. Search Career Advice. Catherine Conlan, Monster contributor. Make sure the right people are saying the right things about you.