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Skills / Starter / Prepare a reference request

Starter Job hunt skill

Prepare a reference request

Prepare a reference request with informed consent, role context, truthful evidence prompts, timing, privacy, and an easy decline.

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.

Related skills

  • Prepare a networking introduction — Prepare a natural introduction that connects real work, current interest, and the setting.
  • Prepare a work sample — Prepare a truthful, shareable work sample with clear context, personal contribution, permissions, and accessible presentation.
  • Prepare a job fair plan — Prepare a job fair plan with target employers, role evidence, questions, accessibility, logistics, notes, and follow-up.