Personal references are commonly provided by teachers, lecturers, group or club leaders, neighbours, friends and family members. Those providing the reference should know you well and be able to give examples that back up statements about your character.

Besides, Can you use classmates as references?

If you’re wondering, “Can I use a classmate as a professional reference?” or “Can you use a friend as a reference?,” the answer is yes.

Keeping this in mind, Can family friends be references? Family members

Hiring managers generally assume your parents can’t give an objective view of your work history or how you’ll behave as an employee, so don’t put them down as references. That goes for all family members, as they will most likely think you’re pretty great, Banul says.

Can a coworker be a professional reference?

A professional reference is someone who has worked closely with you for at least six months within the past seven years. They are usually a coworker or immediate supervisor, but can also be a department head, higher-level manager or client if they interacted with you regularly.

Can I use current coworkers as references?

A current co-worker.

If someone who you work with is discrete and supportive, they may be your best reference, particularly if you’ve been at the same place for awhile or have a limited work history. But if you have other choices who are just as good, use them.

Can you use family friends as references?

A personal reference is someone who you have not worked with but can describe your values, integrity, character and goals. … You should avoid listing family members or your spouse as personal references, as they might be perceived as biased.

How do I list my friends as a reference?

How do you list a friend as a reference? Ensure that your friend can speak to the quality of your work or the strength of your character. Ask your friend’s permission to use them as a reference. Ask for their full name, professional affiliation, and contact information.

Who can I list as a reference with no experience?


Here’s who to include instead:

  • Your Favorite Professor. Depending on how big your graduating class was, you may have a few professors you can think to ask, or you may have just one. …
  • The Family Member or Friend You’ve Done Work For. …
  • An Older Student You Shared a Class With. …
  • A Leader From Your Past.

How do you list relationships in references?

Relationship: Describe the relationship of the reference to you. For example, “Ms. Smith served as my supervisor at ABC Company and, as a result, can comment on my overall performance in the XYC position that I held there.

What qualifies as a professional reference?

Professional references are persons who can vouch for your qualifications for a job based on their insight into your work ethic, skills, strengths, and achievements. Typically, a professional reference is a former employer. … The references should be listed along with their contact information.

Who can I use as a reference if you’ve never worked?


What Can I Put as a Job Reference When I’ve Never Had a Job?

  • Teacher or Professor. High school teachers and college professors are suitable references when applying for your first job. …
  • Coach or Instructor. …
  • Guidance Counselor. …
  • Director or Supervisor.

What if I have no professional references?

If you’re applying for a position and the employer asks for references, find either an academic contact or close character reference outside of a professional setting. … They will probably be happy to help you by writing a letter or sharing their contact information with your prospective employer.

How do you ask a current coworker to be a reference?


How to ask colleagues for references

  1. 1) Get a head start. …
  2. 2) Pick people you know and trust. …
  3. 3) Put it nicely. …
  4. 4) Let them know in advance. …
  5. 5) Make sure you know their latest information.

What do you do if you have no references?

As long as you can find a trusted contact who will speak positively about your character, you can supply a reference. Even if you’ve only interacted with someone a few times, they can still act as a reference. Make a list of people you’ve interacted with besides family.

How do you answer a Friends reference question?


If you agree to provide a reference, follow these tips:

  1. Keep the information factual. Avoid opinions about issues such as personal conflicts. …
  2. Qualify what you say. …
  3. Make your praise specific. …
  4. Refer to specific tasks or projects. …
  5. Avoid examples that highlight a candidate’s weaknesses.

What should I say as a reference for someone?


Here are five elements all personal reference letters should include:

  • Start by explaining your relationship to the candidate. …
  • Include long you’ve known the candidate. …
  • Add positive personal qualities with specific examples. …
  • Close with a statement of recommendation. …
  • Offer your contact information.

What to do if you can’t provide references?


If you’re having trouble getting a reference, you can ask the employer who needs the reference if they’ll accept:

  1. a reference from someone else, for example a manager or colleague.
  2. a reference from a different employer.

What do you do if you have no references for a job?

If you do not have any professional references, offer to provide twice as many personal references if you can. A personal reference can be from someone who knows you, but has never worked with you in a professional environment. For example, they could be a friend, a classmate, a teammate, a coach, a teacher, etc.

How do you list a friend as a reference?

How do you list a friend as a reference? Ensure that your friend can speak to the quality of your work or the strength of your character. Ask your friend’s permission to use them as a reference. Ask for their full name, professional affiliation, and contact information.

How would you describe a working relationship for a reference?

Describe your working relationship with your previous or current colleagues. The interviewer would like to know more about your relationship with your colleagues. Remain positive, even if the experience wasn’t. Avoid talking about any previous drama and do not speak poorly of your colleagues.

What does relationship mean on references?

If you asked them to be a reference and they agreed, you must have worked together in some capacity. … That’s what you put as the relationship. So if you worked alongside them, put “coworker”.

Who can write a professional reference letter?

A professional reference letter is usually written by a supervisor, colleague, client, teacher, or professor that is well-acquainted with their accomplishments in a work-type setting.

How do you choose professional references?


Consider these tips for selecting a quality job reference:

  1. Ask for permission. …
  2. Ask your references for their contact information. …
  3. Prepare your job references. …
  4. Choose people who can attest to your abilities. …
  5. Find common ground. …
  6. Ask your previous manager or supervisor. …
  7. Ask a coworker or colleague. …
  8. Ask your professor or teacher.