Identification should include
- differentiating reference types (e.g., professional, personal, academic)
- creating a list of appropriate people to ask for a reference
- non-relatives, especially community leaders who are familiar with the applicant’s technical or workplace readiness skills
- educators and coaches with whom the applicant studied or interacted
- managers or supervisors at previous jobs
- coordinators at volunteer organizations
- contacts working at the same job or for the same employer where the individual wants to work
- requesting permission from the listed persons
- allowing enough time before the reference is needed.
Process/Skill Questions:
- How should one request a letter of reference?
- What key information should you provide to those who will be writing your letters of reference?
- Why is it important to have an updated list of professional references?
- Why is it important to get permission from a reference before giving out their contact information?
- What communication skills are needed to properly request a letter of reference?
- Why would an employer request a reference letter for a potential candidate for employment?