Most people write on their résumé “References Available Upon Request” and don’t include names.
For academic references, it can be useful to remind teachers about your projects or grades. If they agree, let them know what job you are applying for, how you are qualified, and give them a copy of your résumé. You should ask someone if they will be a reference for you before you give their name to a potential employer. Let them know how your job search is going and thank them for their efforts. Once you have good references, you should try to keep in touch with them frequently. However, some organizations do not provide references for volunteers, so it is a good idea to check what the policy is. Volunteering is also a good way to develop references. If you participate in class and make a good impression, the teacher or other program staff may be willing to act as a reference for you. If you still do not have enough references, you may want to consider taking a course in your field of interest. For example, personal counsellors, therapists, religious leaders or leaders of political or military parties in your home country may not always be appropriate references. You may not want to include references from areas of your life you prefer to keep private or that may conflict with your interviewer's values.
Close relatives are not generally acceptable references and neither are people who do not know you well. If they have firsthand knowledge of your work skills, that is even more useful. They can be friends, a landlord, clients or anyone who can speak to your good personal qualities such as your honesty, dependability, good nature, etc.
If you have been to school recently in Canada, consider asking your teacher to be a reference for you, particularly if you think they can speak positively about your skills and character.Ĭharacter references can substitute for work references if there are no other alternatives. Other references could include someone who is aware of your work habits or skills through your volunteer or community work.Īcademic references are also acceptable and may even be preferable, depending on the situation. They can say, for example, that you are reliable, friendly, organized, and a good problem solver. A manager, supervisor or even a co-worker from a casual job may be able to speak to your work habits or transferable skills (the skills that you can take from one job to another). If possible, you should choose someone who has supervised you professionally or who has worked closely with you. If your work references are all from another country, you might include at least one on your list as long as they are comfortable to speak in English, are accessible through email or Skype, and have some understanding of the position you are applying for. Who would be a good reference? Work References Similarly, if your recent work is unrelated to the type of job you are looking for, your references may not be able to speak to the skills needed for the position. If you don’t have work experience in Canada, you may have difficulty providing this type of reference. Providing appropriate local references can be a challenge for newcomers. This will improve your chances of getting the job. It is a good idea to choose people who can speak or write favourably about you and your work. You should choose your references carefully.Īs part of the job search process, you may be asked to provide the names of people whom a potential employer can contact to find out more about you. References are people who can talk about your work experience, work habits, character and skills. What are references? Who should I ask to be a reference?