Overview

WHAT is a reference?

References are people that your potential employer may contact in order to find out more information about you and if you would be a good fit for the job.  In other words, references provide a recommendation for you.   The goal is for your reference to speak positively about your work ethic and work skills so that you are most likely to be hired.   In most cases, potential employers will contact your references by phone or by email to ask questions about you. 

WHY provide references?

Most of the time, you need references because your potential employer requires them.  Your potential employer wants to make sure that you will be a responsible and trustworthy employee.  Talking to others who know you is one way of doing that. 

Some people include references before they are asked for them, or even if references are not required.  This is so that someone else (other than themselves) can talk about their strengths.  Having a previous supervisor or co-worker recommend you as a good employee can help you get a job.