Reference tips

You have been successful at the interview and now they would like to contact you references.

Providing references is important as it allows the potential employee to get an idea of you in a professional capacity.

A potential employer wants to learn more about your work ethic such as are punctual, trustworthy, honest, committed, etc.

Your references should be relevant and current.

You should supply the names and contact details of ideally at least three references.

You should say who they are, such as a past employer.

You can ask staff members or parents from your placements or teachers if you are newly qualified.

One of your references could be a character reference, but it should be from someone like a bank manager, or a teacher, rather than from your best friend!

You should include if possible references from all your past employment.

Contact the referee to let them know that they should be expecting a call to conduct a reference check on you and confirm they are still comfortable and available to complete one.

• Your new employer will want to see your references, and don’t be surprised (or offended) if they want to check and re-check your background, even if you have already been vetted by an agency.
• When you should supply three or more references it’s likely that two or more of them will be followed up. You should have a reference from all of your previous employers, and prospective employers should look for gaps in your CV and want you to explain them.
• Remember that your prospective employers will often telephone your references to get a more detailed picture of you. You should let people know that this is likely to happen as this is resume etiquette and so they can be aware.
• Provide your strongest reference first.
• If you don’t want references from your current employer to be taken up when you are first applying for jobs, you should say so, both to the nanny agency and the prospective employer, but it is unlikely that you would get a firm job offer until this is done.
• Don’t forget that even if you are looking for short-term assignments, you will be expected to provide the same amount of detailed information.