Who’s got your back? About references

Dear Coach:


I’ve had a great interview at a medical research lab. Now they’re asking for references. Okay, I know I should have lined them up first. But who should I ask?

Oops

Dear Oops:

You’re right. This would be a whole lot easier if you already lined up your references. But, hey, your question gives us a chance to focus on references, which, for a lot of grads seems to be an afterthought.

As the job you’re applying for is research oriented, you will probably want some of your references to be from professors that taught you in university. Of course, if you already have experience working in a lab, you’ll ask for work references – a great combination from an employer’s point of view.

Your reference portfolio consists of testimonial letters from 3 to 6 people who are prepared to attest that would make a good hire if employers ask. Most employers ask for three references, but it’s good to have references from different sources so you can have appropriate letters for the kind of jobs you’re considering.

Since you’re pulling together academic references, it’s a good idea to ask professors who taught courses in your major. Try to ask a professor whose rank is associate or full rather than an assistant professor or a lecturer. This is not because the associate and full professors are better teachers, but because an employer may believe that a more senior professor can assess your qualifications better.

Ask the professors you approach if they would be willing to give you a letter of recommendation in both electronic and hard copy forms. Ask also if you can include them in your list of references and give contact information for them on your resume. If they agree, make their lives easy. Give them a well written point summary of your:

* employment objectives
* your academic track record, especially in their classes
* other for the sorts of jobs of interest to you

Once you have your three core academic references, try to find at least three non- academic references. Ideally at least one of these should be from an employer you’ve worked for on a paid basis, or in a co-op or internship position. You need a reference like this to vouch for your ability to fit in and help with the bottom line needs of a real employer. It is helpful, but not essential, for the employer recommending you to be in businesses like those you’ll be applying to.

If you have no paid employment track record, try to draw your references from other sorts of organizations where you made substantial contributions such as school clubs, community organizations. For example, if you were the membership coordinator for a student club and the membership rose substantially, you could use the faculty advisor for the club as your reference.