How to Create Your Reference Sheet If you are asked for a reference sheet from a hiring manager this is a good sign because it means that they are considering you. You don’t want to make them wait as you write one up so make sure it has been created in advance. The purpose of the reference sheet is so the hiring manager can do a background check on you from individuals. Everyone on your reference sheet will probably say good things about you, but the fact that you can string together a number of individuals who support you (especially professional contacts) signifies that you have worth.
Collecting Your Contacts Before you start typing down names on your document you need to find some first. There are various formats for a reference sheet but I recommend having three professional contacts and three personal contacts. Professional contacts can include former supervisors, coworkers, and other individuals in your past work experience. Personal contacts should not include family members. However, you can include friends, classmates, professors, and even school counselors. Once you have a list of individuals who you would like on your sheet organize them into the best combination that represents a diverse experience base. When the recruiting manager calls them you want them to say emphasize different skills that you have.
Preparing Them Now that you have the combinations of individuals give them a call and ask them to be one of your references. If they accept, send them your resume and maybe an example cover letter. Explain what types of jobs you will be applying for and what to discuss with the hiring manager if they are called. The better you prepare them the more likely they will be able to present a good image of you. Collect their updated contact information for your reference sheet When creating your sheet there are number of different formats that you can use. Make sure that you keep it simple and easy to navigate. Also keep the same heading format that you use on your resume and cover letters.
Thanking Them Don’t forget to thank the individuals who agreed to help you. They are willing to say good things about you because of the relationship that you have developed with them. In order to continue such relationships express your thanks.
Update Your Sheet Every couple of years or perhaps more frequently make sure to update the information on your reference sheet. This is especially true for seniors graduating from a Salt Lake City College. The same contacts you had for student jobs will probably not be the ones you will want as contacts for your career. As you progress in your career you will have more experiences and success. Develop good relationships with individuals in these jobs so you can use them on your reference sheet for future positions. Having more recent individuals on your sheet can be very beneficial. If you are not changing the individuals on your sheet still update it to make sure that the contact information is still correct. Also send updated resumes to individuals on your sheet when applying for a new job so they know how to endorse you for the different situation. Photo Credit: Pure Metal Cards, A. Golden,