Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
When searching for a job, it’s essential to have your reference list prepared in advance. The references should vouch for your personal and technical skills and match the job requirements you are applying for. A good reference can make all the difference when evaluating candidates. Here is 9 Important Steps to List a Friend as a Reference.
Friends can make excellent personal references. Moreover, when friends are former colleagues, they can also give their professional opinion on your job-related skills and qualities. Here, we will look at correctly listing a friend as a reference.
Can You Put Friends Down as References on a Resume?
You can confidently list friends as references on your resume as long as they make genuine statements about your personal and professional qualities. Hiring managers wouldn’t find such references inappropriate if you could pinpoint exactly what makes them relevant.
Overall, listing a friend as a reference on your resume is acceptable. It will be advantageous if the friend is your former supervisor or currently employed at the company you’ve applied to. Still, even though friends make good personal references, it’s best to find someone who could be listed as a professional reference.
How to List a Friend as a Professional Reference
If you want to use your friend as a reference, you must keep several things in mind.
1. Make sure that that person is a good reference
It’s good to have someone who can say many positive things about you. The person you choose as your reference should be able to provide information on your skill set and qualities that align with the job requirements.
They should also be aware of your most relevant professional accomplishments. Ask yourself whether you will be comfortable providing a reference for the chosen person. If not, then maybe this person isn’t the best choice.
2. Ask for their permission
Asking the person for permission to include them as a reference is essential. It is best to be considerate, as you will be sharing their personal details, such as phone number, email, and even job position in some cases. This also allows you to prepare them to portray you positively and highlight any critical skills you want to be relayed to the hiring manager.
3. Share the job description with them
The requirements for each role are different. Your reference contact should know what position you are applying for, what qualifications the job description highlights as essential, and which skills and traits can be considered an advantage. This will help them consider their past experiences with you and tailor a good response in case a hiring manager contacts them.
4. Discuss your expectations
You might have already imagined what you want included in the reference. For example, you want them to describe certain situations that portray your best qualities in action.
Or maybe you want them to prepare several examples of different accomplishments of yours they witnessed. By discussing the expectations with your reference about their general statement, you will help them prepare for the recruiter’s call.
5. Remind them about the accomplishments
Remember your friend of the projects you’ve worked on and the results you’ve achieved. People tend to forget things that happened a while ago. Therefore, sometimes, they might need a reminder.
6. Review the timeline
Usually, hiring managers set specific deadlines by which your reference has to provide information. Often, recruiters have particular hours available for a phone or virtual call.
Or, if your friend provides a written reference, they will usually be given a time frame to send the reference. Ensure your friend has enough time to write the reference and prepare for the conversation.
7. Make options available
Not everyone is comfortable talking over the phone. In cases where written references are an option, your phone-shy friend might prefer that alternative. To help them orient better in writing, you can provide them with a list of your special skills and accomplishments.
8. Provide relevant information to both parties
The hiring party should have up-to-date contact information to reach your reference person. Before mentioning them as a reference, double-check their phone number and email address. That way, you can ensure that the necessary correspondence will go smoothly.
9. Don’t forget to thank them
Finally, remember to thank your friends for their help. By doing so, you will show your appreciation for their kindness and increase your chances of receiving a recommendation from them again in the future.
Professional vs. Personal reference
There are two main types of references that you need to keep in mind when putting your friends’ details as references:
- A professional reference provides information about your work ethic and the quality of work you can do. Your hiring manager will take the testimony of these individuals seriously since they had first-hand experience working with you. Examples of people who can provide professional references include your previous or current manager, supervisor, team lead, or coworkers who have paralleled your role.
- A personal reference can mainly provide valuable information about the soft skills, values, and traits you demonstrate daily. Usually, people include personal references from their time volunteering, school, and longtime friendships.
If you are pursuing a new position, hiring managers usually favor professional references, as they can help them learn more about your performance in a work environment.
However, if you are applying for your first job, you should provide personal references, as you have no previous professional experience.
Who would make a good reference?
If you are trying to score a new job, it’s best if your reference can discuss your work-related skills and abilities. The best references would be:
- People who have recently worked with you
- Colleagues who were in direct contact with you at work
- Work friends who have positive things to say about you
It’s important to mention that the chosen person should know you well enough to provide an objective opinion.
Additionally, it’s best to avoid including spouses or other family members as references, as the hiring side might assume their opinion is biased.
