Never Use These People As A Job Reference (2024)

FAQs

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

Teachers/Professors – If you're a student in college or high school, getting a reference from a teacher or professor is a great idea. Identify a teacher that you have a good relationship with and who can attest to your character and skills.

Relatives and friends. They will sing your praises, but it won't come from an honest place, and the odds are good they can't speak to your qualities and qualifications as an employee.

Instead, you can reach out to a favorite university professor, a family member you've worked with or for, or even a volunteer coordinator for an organization you volunteered for. Reach out to your references, asking them for permission and giving them more information about the job you're applying for.

Once you've decided on references, notify them immediately. You want to avoid a situation where your reference is contacted without knowing you've listed them. This could hinder the quality of their reference and may even put the opportunity at risk.

Can I Use My Friends And Family As References? While your friends and family can speak to your character, it's generally not a good idea to use them as references for a job.

Someone with Whom You've Had Conflicts

If you've had significant disagreements or issues with a colleague or supervisor, it's wise to avoid using them as a reference, even if they were closely involved with your work.

Anyone who fired you/any employer you were fired from. Anyone not expecting a call. Your cousin's friend's daughter's boyfriend. A famous person you don't know.

Let's start with whom you should not list as a reference. Believe it or not, this list is much longer than that of those you should list. To name a few, you should stay away from including your family, past employers whom you have bad blood with, or employers that you have not worked for in a long time.

‍Decision Making: “He couldn't make a decision if his life depended on it!” ‍Employee Relations: “She purposely caused havoc in the office with her gossip.” ‍Financial Skills: “Well, that's why our company had a major layoff – left her in charge of finances!”

Try one of these lines: “Thanks for asking, but I don't know enough about your recent professional experience to serve as a reference.” “I'm probably not the best person to give you a strong reference but wish you well in your job search.”

Who is OK to use as a reference? ›

When applying for a job, a job reference is anyone who knows you well enough to back up and endorse your experience, skills, character, and work ethic to a potential employer. They can be current or former colleagues, bosses, friends, or maybe even college professors (if you're a recent graduate).

Apologize to your potential employer for the inconvenience and try to get in touch with the reference to see if they're available. Offer to provide alternative references if you can't get in touch with your original reference and resolve the issue. Ask for your reference's permission before using them.

You should always ask references for permission before putting their name down. This allows your references to be prepared and in turn will encourage a more positive reference. If someone does not want to give you a reference, you do not want to force them, as they might provide a negative review.

Many employers check your references toward the end of the hiring process or right before they're ready to make an offer, which is why you typically don't need to provide your job reference along with your resume and cover letter.

If a reference comes back and is considered unsatisfactory, the job offer might be withdrawn and lead to your dismissal. If you think the reference was misleading, inaccurate or discriminatory, you might be able to take legal action.

A friend or family member you've worked for

If you've done relevant work for a family member or friend, you can use them as a reference when applying for your first job.

If references associated with your previous roles have dried up, or the company no longer exists, then consider people outside of work that may be able to speak to potential employers instead. Perhaps you've volunteered before – in which case, this could be your volunteer coordinator or even another volunteer.

Who should provide them? 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.