Identifying References
Strong personal and professional references are a critical part of a successful job application. Employers rely on references to determine the character and reliability of an applicant, and they should be chosen to complement the resume and show the applicant in the best light possible. Students who struggle with social skills may lack reliable references, or may not know how to go about selecting and arranging references. References from family members or a person the student has only known briefly are of course a hindrance to their application, while a reference from a previous volunteer supervisor who is happy with the student’s work will help the application. Instructors should help students evaluate their relationships with prospective references and select those that will strengthen the application and increase the student’s chances of getting the job.
Teaching Ideas
Click on the icons below for detailed information on how to teach this skill.
Guiding Questions
- Can the student currently identify two or three individuals who would serve as appropriate references during the application process?
- Is the student able to differentiate an appropriate reference from other co-workers, friends, acquaintances, and family members?
- Does this student correctly interpret his relationships, or is he likely to over- or under-estimate the quality and type of relationship he shares with someone?
- Can the student accurately judge the degree to which a potential reference would endorse him or her for a certain position?
- If the student has a set of appropriate references from which to choose, does he then select the references that are most appropriate given the position to which he is applying (e.g. post-secondary admission versus employment)?
Visual Supports
Graphic organizers can provide a student with a way to represent and organize concepts, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and potential outcomes.
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Social narratives are a set of tools that visually represent social situations and appropriate social behaviors. The social narrative connects the important details of a setting or social situation to support the student in understanding the social context and in developing a new social skill.
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Visual Cues are learning materials that students can keep with them to help guide them through real life situations.
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