The 12 best people to pick as job references

When you apply for a new job, you need a polished resume, a perfected cover letter, and a list of job references who you trust to speak to a potential employer. Some employers may ask for references during the application process while others may wait until your interview, but knowing the best people to pick as job references can make or break your chances of landing your dream job.

How do you know who to ask for a reference?

A good reference can work well to convince a potential employer that you’re worth hiring. Hearing the perspective of a person who has worked closely with you can give them insight that they may not glean from the information on your application that comes directly from you. 

The best people to pick as job references should:

• Have knowledge of your work ethic.
• Respect you.
• Be well-spoken.
• Agree to be listed as a reference.

You want to pick people who have worked alongside you and think highly enough of you to sing your praises to a hiring manager. (But no, you can’t pick your best friend or your mom — relatives and close personal friends are a hard pass.) 

So, where do you begin? Take a look at these 12 ideas to get your job reference list started. 

1. Your boss or supervisor

At the top of your list of job references should be a former or soon-to-be-former boss or supervisor — the more recent the better. This is someone who can speak directly to your skills and what it’s like to manage you.

Even if you didn’t have a great relationship with your old boss, there can still be value in their opinion for a new employer. Plus, leaving them off the list may look fishy (unless they don’t know you’re leaving, which you should explain in your interview) so it’s best to at least have a conversation with them and try to work things out if you can.

2. A trusted coworker

Coworkers can make particularly great references — they’re the ones who see you working up close and personal each day. They should be a person who is familiar with your actual work, though, not just a friendly face who chats with you at the water cooler. Pick someone who either worked directly with you, in your department, or whose work was impacted by your own.

3. Your former professor or educator

For recent graduates in particular, a professor or instructor can be a top choice for a reference. This is especially true if they teach a subject in the same field that you now hope to work in. Just make sure to pick an educator who has gotten to know you personally and not a professor for a class of 100 students who you’ve never spoken to directly outside of a few emails.

4. Someone you have volunteered for

Volunteer work looks great on a resume, especially if it’s consistent or somehow connected to your line of work. Their relationship with you is likely similar to that of a boss or professor, so you can definitely ask your volunteer coordinator or organization leader to be a job reference.

5. A former client

Depending on your line of work, you may have a former client or two who would be happy to provide a reference if asked. Clients who expressed appreciation for your work are ideal, especially if you will be expected to complete similar work in the role that you’re applying for.

6. Your former classmate

As a student, did you work closely with other classmates in a small group setting or for a semester project? If so, they might be able to provide a solid reference for you. Just make sure you ask a classmate who you got along with and who was appreciative of your efforts at the time.

7. Someone that you’ve volunteered with 

Much like a coworker, someone who you have volunteered alongside consistently over the years can usually speak to your level of commitment on the job, work ethic, and general demeanor. Again, volunteer work can be impressive to a potential employer, so this is another great way to work that angle. 

8. A professional connection

That friend you always run into at networking events and chat with on LinkedIn about your mutual love of cold-emailing can actually be a great reference. Especially if they work in a similar profession or are highly respected in their own profession, they’re likely to be able to speak to your own level of professionalism with ease.

9. A connection from your college internship

Think back to your college internship days. Were you particularly close to your internship’s director or adviser? Did you work alongside a respected professional who mentored you? Recent graduates especially should seek references from people they worked with during an internship.

10. A high school teacher or coach

If you were particularly connected to a teacher or coach in high school and have sustained a relationship beyond graduation, they can be a wonderful pick for a job reference. Particularly when applying to a business in your hometown or if your professional references are few and far between, this is a solid option.

11. Your old school counselor

Whether they worked with you through high school or college, school counselors with who you developed a report would likely give you a glowing reference if you list them. After all, their main goal is to help their students (and former students) succeed. They probably get this request often though, so be sure to give them plenty of notice should you require a formal letter of recommendation.

12. Anyone else who knew you when you were just starting out

Were you a lifeguard or babysitter in the summers growing up? Did you file mail for a local real estate agent when you were in college or run a newspaper route in your town? Anyone who hired you for these odd jobs when you were young and has known you for years since can tell the hiring manager about your level of commitment and work ethic.

You made your reference list. So, what’s next?

After you decide who you’d like to list as job references, you have to ask for their permission. How you ask someone to be a reference will depend on your relationship with them, but this is definitely easier to do once you know who you’re asking. 

Once you have their permission, make sure that you have your references’ updated contact information including their phone number and email address ready to go. Now, when your recruiter asks, “May I call your references?” you’ll definitely be prepared.