How to Ask for a Job Reference

How to Ask for a Job ReferenceHow to Ask for a Job ReferenceAt some point during your job search, youll most likely need to find a few people who will serve as your job references. Since references are often required during the latter parte of the job interview process, its imperative to pick good ones, as their ability to speak well of you can mean all the difference in getting hired or not. Learn how to ask for a job reference, and hopefully get hired for the position, with these six tips.How to Ask for a Job ReferenceKeep it current.You might have had an employer who truly loved you and thought you were an amazing worker- but that was well over a decade ago. When it comes to job references, the newer, the better. After all, you want your job reference to be able to talk about your present set of skills, not about how amazing your typewriter skills areSo make a list of people (bosses, colleagues, clients, etc.) who can give a solid professional assessment of your work ethic. If you re lacking in work-related references, look to your volunteer experience, or anything else that could count as a job (even if you didnt get paid for it) and could be used as a reference.Time it right. Lets say that you just finished up a project with a client that went really well. Asking them to provide a reference fresh off of a victory is a good idea, since theyll be better able to attest to your skills and work performance, rather than if you wait a while to ask.Decide if you should ask your boss. Lets say that youre currently employed but looking for a new position. Asking your boss to give you a job reference will not only be a red flag that youre looking for employment elsewhere, but it could also potentially get you fired.That said, if the company is downsizing or if staffers have been told that they only have a few more weeks or months until the business closes (and its out in the open that employees are actively job searching), then it might be okay to ask your boss to giv e you a job reference.Communicate carefully.Asking for a job reference can be a big deal. Remember, youre asking someone to put their reputation on the line to vouch for yours. So submitting your job reference request isnt something you should dash off in a text. When deciding who to ask to be your job reference, go over the persons preferred communication style.Does your former boss like reading through emails, or are they a chattier type who would want to talk with you on the phone instead? Choose the method that works best for that person that way, you wont andrang the risk of offending by asking in an abrupt manner.Know what to say.Once you figure out who youre going to ask (and how), start planning on what youll say. You can use this script as a guide for either a phone call or an email requestDear NameI hope you are well I am applying for X job with X Company and would really be appreciative if you could provide a job reference for me.Since working for you at X Company, I feel that you would be able to provide a comprehensive reference that illustrates to a potential employer why I would be a fit for their company. I have attached my resume for your review.Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for considering my request, and I hope to hear from you soon.Best,Your NameYour phone numberYour email addressFollow up.Once a person agrees to be your job reference, dont drop the ball Keep them updated of any potential employers who have asked for a reference so that theyll know, more or less, when to expect the call and what information they might need to furnish. And once youve gotten hired, be sure to share your good news- and thank them for their part in helping you get the job.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off