When someone has agreed to serve as your reference during the hiring process, it’s important that you provide them with everything they need to help you get the job. Below are a few things to make sure you send your references.
1. Your resume
(Include your cover letter or other relevant parts of your application.)
2. The job description
https://unsplash.com/@linkedinsalesnavigator
3. Reasons you believe you would succeed in the role
(Include specific points that they can speak to about your work. If you believe you could be a great restaurant server because of your experience as a barista, connect this reason to your reference. If your reference supervised you when you worked as a barista, make sure that she draws the connections between your prior work experience and your ability to succeed in this new role. If your reference is a former professor with no knowledge of your work experience as a barista, provide her with other transferrable skills that you have that she’s actually witnessed. Maybe she knows you are extremely detail-oriented, and do well working within a team.)
4. Details about who will reach out to them, when they will be contacted, and via what route of communication
(For example, specify that Ashley Smith, the HR Recruiter, will be emailing your reference to set up a call within the next few days.)
5. A thank you note
(This one comes after they’ve served as your reference and should happen regardless of whether or not you got the job. Your references did their part to get you that job. Thank them for their time and support.)
Have other ideas about what to provide your references with? Share them in the comments below.