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Sign Up NowYou’ve just completed your polished resume and personalized cover letter for each role you’re applying to. Your LinkedIn and personal site are up to date, and you’ve recently finished a promising phone interview. But now the employer has asked you to provide three references—and you don’t have any ready.
This is a common challenge for people entering the job market. Whether you’ve just graduated, changed industries, or started a new career path, it’s possible you don’t yet know professionals who can vouch for your work.
If this sounds like you, don’t panic. This article will walk you through how to find suitable references, including:
References give hiring managers a clearer picture of who you are from an outside perspective. While your resume and interview highlight your achievements, a reference confirms them through real experiences. A strong reference builds trust and shows that others have relied on your work and been satisfied with it.
Some jobs ask for two or three references to confirm your qualifications and past performance. Employers may contact them to verify the information you’ve shared, which is why honesty is always essential. Avoid exaggerating or making claims that can’t be supported.
There are generally two kinds of references: personal and professional. Personal references can be family members, teachers, or acquaintances who can comment on your character or interpersonal qualities. These people highlight your reliability, attitude, and teamwork skills.
Professional references, on the other hand, focus on your job-specific strengths. They might include former supervisors, colleagues, or professors familiar with your field. Such references can discuss both your technical and interpersonal abilities, offering a balanced view of how you work. For instance, a chemical engineering graduate could use their research advisor as a reference who knows both their academic strengths and personal dedication.
Most recruiters prefer references from your most recent employer, as they can speak about your current skill set and work ethic.
If you’re entering a new industry or just starting your career, it’s normal not to have references from previous roles. Recent graduates, career changers, or those rejoining the workforce after a long break often face this issue.
The good news is that most employers understand this situation. They know that lack of professional references doesn’t always mean lack of ability. In many cases, they’re open to personal or academic references that still give them insight into your strengths. Being upfront about your background is better than avoiding the question.
Here are a few common reasons you may not have ready references:
Even if you lack direct work experience, there are still many people who can vouch for your character and work habits. Most employers want to understand how you handle responsibilities, interact with others, and show commitment. Here are a few potential sources of references you can reach out to:
If you’re a new graduate or just entering the job market, professors or high school teachers can be great options. Choose someone who knows you well—perhaps a mentor or someone you worked with on a major project or thesis. Their input can show your determination, work ethic, and communication skills.
Your volunteer work can also provide valuable references. You can ask a community leader, volunteer supervisor, or even a religious leader who has seen your contributions firsthand. If you’ve helped organize community events, assisted in a charity program, or worked in a church group, those leaders can highlight your teamwork and reliability.
These references are especially helpful because they show your involvement beyond paid work. They can speak about your leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills developed through community service.
It’s always helpful to have someone who guides you, supports your progress, and helps you gain the skills needed to do well in any profession. If you’ve received leadership guidance or coaching from an experienced mentor, you can list them as a reference. Even if your relationship wasn’t formal, such a person can explain your specific strengths and the experience you’ve gained through their mentorship.
You may also think about asking a relative or close friend for whom you’ve done some work. Even if their line of work differs from the field you’re applying for, they can still share honest feedback about your dependability and work habits. Some employers might be unsure about using a reference related to you, but others may find it useful to hear about the quality of work you delivered and the practical skills you picked up.
You might also ask a former coworker or classmate to speak on your behalf. Though they may not have the same authority as a former supervisor, they can still comment on your teamwork, attitude, and personal growth. Such references can give an employer a more personal understanding of how you handle responsibilities and work with others.
Once you’ve gone through your contacts and created a list of potential references, the next step is to ask for their consent. There are a few important things to remember when requesting someone to be your reference.
Never include anyone as a reference unless you’ve asked for their consent. Even if they’ve agreed to help you in the past, always reach out again to let them know about your current job search. The last thing you want is for someone to be surprised when contacted by an employer. Without proper notice, they might not remember enough about your work or could give an unclear reference.
You don’t need to ask your reference to exaggerate your strengths or hide the truth. Instead, share some information about the job you’re applying for and remind them of the projects or achievements you worked on together. This helps refresh their memory and allows them to highlight the right points when speaking about your performance.
A common mistake people make when listing references is providing outdated or incorrect contact details. If a hiring manager tries to reach your reference but can’t get through, it might cause delays or frustration. Make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are current. If your employer can’t reach them, you might be asked to find another reference, which could make you seem careless or unprepared.
When you talk to potential references, try to assess if they will give a strong recommendation. For instance, if a past manager barely remembers your name or your work, they may not be the best choice. If you notice they don’t recall much, it’s better to politely choose someone else who can describe your performance more clearly.
If you’ve listed your usual contacts and still don’t have enough professional references, take a look through LinkedIn or other social networks. You might reconnect with an old boss, a project partner, or someone you volunteered with. You don’t have to rely only on current employers — past colleagues or clients can also give good insight into your work ethic and abilities.
A reference letter — also known as a letter of recommendation — is a short-written statement describing your strengths, achievements, and work performance. It can also show how you’ve developed professionally and where you’re headed in your career. If someone is hesitant to provide a verbal reference, you can politely ask them to write a brief letter instead.
One advantage of a recommendation letter is that you’ll know exactly what your reference has said about you, with no unexpected comments later. These letters can be saved and used again for future applications. If you lost a job due to reasons like downsizing, ask your previous employer to include a reference letter as part of your exit process.
Example Email of a Job Applicant with No References
Subject: Request for Reference — Dianne Vandersaar, Director of Human Resources
Dear Mr. McCormick,
I hope you are doing well. I’m writing to express my strong interest in the Director of Human Resources position at ABC Consulting and my excitement about moving forward in the selection process. I believe my experience and background fit well with what your team is looking for, and I’m eager to contribute positively to your organization.
I understand that providing references is a regular part of hiring, so I wanted to be open about my situation. As I’ve recently been between roles and not part of a regular office environment, I don’t have direct supervisors or coworkers available to serve as references at the moment.
To make up for that, I’ve included contact details for individuals who can speak about my work habits, professionalism, and personal strengths. These include a career coach who helped me refine my leadership skills, a community organizer I’ve assisted with volunteer work, a past teammate from a joint project, a mentor who has guided my development, and a long-time friend who has seen my professional growth closely.
I’m confident that these individuals can share honest and detailed feedback about my abilities and values, offering a balanced view even though I don’t have recent workplace references. Each of them has been informed about your possible call and is happy to provide their input.
If you prefer a different approach to verifying my background or would like more documents, please let me know. I want to make the process as smooth as possible and appreciate your understanding.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing how my qualifications can meet your team’s goals.
Best regards,
XYZ
It’s often uncomfortable to tell a recruiter that you don’t have active references, but the example above handles it clearly and politely. The applicant explains their employment gap without making excuses and offers alternative contacts who can confirm their qualities. This helps employers get a clearer view of the person’s reliability and builds trust during the hiring process. If you’d like more guidance on writing such emails, consider consulting a career advisor. They can also help you prepare for interviews, improve your resume, and strengthen your job applications.
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