References Guide
Your references are the people who will vouch for your skills, work ethic, and character when an employer calls. A strong reference can reinforce everything you said in the interview. Most employers request references late in the process — but the time to build your list is now. Aim to have three solid references ready at all times.
Who to Ask
Choose people who have directly observed your work and can speak specifically to your skills and professional character. The best references for college students typically come from:
Internship supervisors — the gold standard; they've seen you in a professional setting
Professors — especially those whose classes involved real projects, presentations, or work you're proud of
Campus employers or supervisors — on-campus jobs, work-study, and student employment count
Advisors, coaches, or organization leaders — anyone who has supervised or mentored you in a meaningful capacity
Who Not to Ask
Family members or personal friends
People you haven't spoken to in more than two years
Anyone who doesn't know your work well enough to give specific examples
How to Ask
Never list someone as a reference without asking them first — this is non-negotiable. Ambushing a reference with an unexpected call from an employer is unprofessional and can result in an unprepared, lukewarm recommendation. When you reach out, be specific about what you're asking and give them the context they need to say yes confidently.
Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well! I'm currently applying for [type of role] in [field] and am building my list of professional references. I really valued working with you on [specific project or class] and feel you'd be able to speak to my [specific skills]. Would you be comfortable serving as a reference for me? I'm happy to share my resume and more details about the roles I'm pursuing.
If they agree, follow up with:
Your current resume
A brief description of the roles you're applying for
The specific skills or experiences you'd love them to highlight
A heads-up when you're actively interviewing so they're not caught off guard
How to Format Your Reference Page
References are submitted as a separate document — never listed on your resume itself. Use the same header as your resume so the documents look like a matched set. List three references unless the employer specifies otherwise.
For each reference include:
Full name and pronouns
Current title
Organization or company
Phone number
Professional email address