There should be no such thing as a bad reference. Choose the best of the best to give yourself the reference you deserve. Whether you make it or break it could depend on one quick phone call.

Here are a number of ways to get and keep a good reference:

Do

• Get a move on! Track down great references BEFORE your job hunt begins
• Choose the right reference, one who knows your abilities and work ethic well
• Gather three to five references and get permission from all of them
• Put references on a separate page with the title “References” (only if requested by your potential employer)
• Put references into categories, such as employer, academic and personal
• Keep references up to date with your most recent resume and the job/company you’ve applied to
• Make sure your references’ details are correct and up to date with their full name, job title, company name, and contact numbers
• Keep in touch with references with an email, a phone call—or over coffee
• Thank your references and let them know if you got the job

Don’t

• Assume that potential employers will skip references or the background check (in theory, the bigger the company, the deeper they dig)
• Assume you will get both types of references. Some companies have policies that permit only written references, while others allow only verbal ones
• Use generic letters of recommendation with “To Whom it May Concern”
• Call your references for EVERY job you apply to. Only contact them regarding the positions you are serious about or interviewed for
• Overlook other past colleagues or supervisors as references. Give them a heads up, especially if your desired reference is unavailable
• Depend on family, friends, and letters of recommendation as your only references
• Hesitate to ask your reference to highlight certain qualities and skills that your potential employer mentioned in the interview or job ad

A quick reminder

Make sure your references know they are your references—it doesn’t represent well when the reference contacted seems surprised you are still using them. You may also need to provide your reference with an updated version of your resume or your recent job history so they can feel more comfortable talking about your candidacy with a potential employer. But, most importantly, you want to let them know you’re using them as a reference, explain to them the types of positions you’re applying to, and give them a heads-up about any employers who may be contacting them. You certainly don’t want them to be caught off guard or have no idea what to say if they are contacted by an employer, which would reflect poorly on your application.