---
name: prepare-a-reference-request
category: get-hired
description: Prepare a reference request with informed consent, role context, truthful evidence prompts, timing, privacy, and an easy decline. Use when asking someone to support an application.
---
# prepare-a-reference-request
## When to use
- Use before naming or sharing a reference’s details.
- Never script praise, hide role risk, or imply consent.
## Procedure
1. Choose someone who directly knows relevant work.
2. Ask whether they can provide a candid reference for the specific context.
3. Share role, deadline, format, recipient, privacy, and likely topics.
4. Provide a concise evidence sheet of verified work they observed.
5. Invite correction and an easy decline.
6. Confirm permission before submitting their contact information.
## Failure plan
- If they cannot support the application, thank them and choose another source.
## Worked example
A manager receives the posting and three observed project examples, not a prewritten testimonial.
## Done
- A reference-request message and evidence sheet record context, observed work, timing, format, privacy, and consent
- Relationship, observation, truth, deadline, contact-sharing, easy-decline, correction, and confirmation checks verify readiness