What To Do If You're Asked for References After an Interview

An interview is your chance to prove that you are the best candidate for the job. While there are many things you can do to impress an employer, they still may use a few additional measures to make sure you are a quality candidate. One way they do this is by asking you for a few references. In this article, we discuss what to do if you're asked for references after an interview. Related: Writing a Professional Reference Page for Employment

Why do employers check references?

Employers check references for the following reasons:

To double-check your credentials. An employer may use a reference to verify that all of the information on your resume is true. This is especially important for roles that require a high level of education, training, skills and experience.
To learn about your character. Your reference can attest to who you are as a person and a professional. An employer may use this as an opportunity to learn more about your personality and whether you work well with others.
To gain additional information about your career. Your references may be able to provide additional details about your previous roles and responsibilities. Employers can learn about what you contributed to previous teams.

What to do if you're asked for references after an interview

Follow these steps in order if you're asked for references after an interview:

1. Create a list of names

When an employer asks for references, you want to get them a list of names right away. That's why it's wise to prepare your references before you start interviewing. If you waited until after the interview, you still have time. Get started by compiling a list of people you want to reach out to. Ideally, you want to ask a previous employer or manager to be a reference. If you are just getting started in your career, you may want to ask one of your professors or teachers to be a reference. Once you compile your list, narrow it down to the people with who you have the best relationships. You want to choose people who are willing to say kind things about you. Think about your previous experiences with them and what they would be able to share with a new employer.

2. Contact your references

Start contacting your references to see if they are willing to help with your job search. Since they are doing you a favor, make sure you do this in a professional and polite way. You can either call them on the phone or send them a nicely written email.

Reach out to your references in advance. First, ask them if they would be a reference for you, then let them know who might be calling. If there is something you would like them to speak to regarding a specific job, be sure to prepare them in advance and provide context for the request. Help your reference be a great reference for you.—Carolynn Bruce, SHRM-SCP

Once they agree, ask them for their current email address, phone number, job title and business address. Let them know when they can expect a phone call from your interviewer.

3. Make a professional document

Create a document to share your references with the employer. Here is one format you can follow: Your name Your phone number Your email address Reference name Reference position Reference company Reference company address Reference phone number Reference email address A few sentences that describe your relationship with your reference, such as where and when you worked together. Related: How To Write a Resume Reference List (With Examples)

4. Be patient

Once you send your reference list to the employer, it's time to be patient. Instead of checking in with your references to see if the employer called, wait for them to reach out to you. By being patient, you are being respectful of your references' and potential employer's time and attention. If you have been waiting for two weeks to hear a decision, then you can reach out to the employer with an email to inquire about the hiring process.

5. Write thank-you notes

Eventually, the employer will make a decision. Whether you got the job offer or not, it's polite to write your references a little thank-you note. If you got the job, thank them for being willing to speak with your new employer. Emphasize that they helped you get this exciting opportunity. If you didn't get the job offer, still thank them for their time and effort. Ask them if you can continue to use them as a reference for the rest of your job search. Related: Reference Check Questions: What To Expect

Tips for choosing good references

Use these tips to choose the best references:

Ask a previous employer

If you had a good relationship with a previous employer or manager, see if they can be one of your references.

When reaching out to a previous employer, connect with your previous HR team before you offer them as a reference. Some HR teams provide only basic reference information such as dates of service, job titles and willingness to rehire. Depending on your relationship and reason for leaving, you may want to ask a previous manager to be your reference so they can elaborate on your character and skills.—Carolynn Bruce, SHRM-SCP

Ideally, you want to choose someone who oversaw a role that is similar to the one you're applying to. For instance, if you want to get a social media job, it's smart to contact your previous social media manager. Related: How To Determine Who To Use as a Reference

Be careful about current connections

When searching for a job while you're still employed, it's best to keep this information private at your current job. Now may not be the best time to ask your current colleagues or manager to be a reference. You want to leave your current job on good terms. Perhaps, you can ask these people to be your references in the future, after you have left your current job in good standing.

Consider other professional connections

If your relationship with a former employer or manager could have been better, consider asking someone else to be your reference. Former colleagues can be a great option, especially if you closely worked with them. You can even consider asking one of your networking connections, clients or mentors to be a reference. The key is to choose someone who can attest to your professional experience and has good things to say about you. Related: Types of References and How To Get Them

Have multiple references ready

When you start your job search, have three or four references ready. This way, when an employer asks for references, you can give them your prepared document the same day. Along with showing you are a prepared candidate, this can speed up the hiring process. The sooner they can call your references, the sooner they can make a hiring decision.

Discuss the role with your references

Make sure your references understand what kind of roles you're applying to. This can help them think about what information is relevant to share with employers. You can even send them the job description for them to look over. Highlight certain skills or credentials you might want them to discuss.

Tailor them to the job

When choosing your references, make sure they are relevant to the job you're applying to. For instance, if you want a marketing role, it may make more sense to have a previous marketing manager be your reference instead of a neighbor you used to babysit for. You want to pick people who have the background and experience to vouch for your skills and credentials.

Show your gratitude

No matter what the outcome of your job search is, you need to show your references that you are thankful for their willingness to help. Along with writing a thank-you note, let them know you are always open to being one of their references. By showing your gratitude, you can nurture your professional relationships and continue to use them as a reference in the future.

Refresh your reference list

As you grow in your career, you may want to refresh your reference list every so often. You'll eventually gain more professional connections who can be a better representation of your more recent professional experiences. Try to contact a more recent employer or manager instead of someone you worked with years ago.

Find internal references

When applying for jobs, see if any of your professional connections or friends know of any job opportunities at their work. If you have a close enough relationship, they may be able to serve as an internal reference. These kinds of references tend to hold more power since the person already has close ties with the company. Your connection may even receive a referral bonus for referencing a quality candidate.