Choosing References

References are really about the "end game" of a job application.  They'll probably only be called after you've passed all the interviews, and they're almost ready to offer you the job.  But it's still worth a bit of thought.

I recommend thinking about references pretty early in your process.  Your resume will probably end with "References: Available upon request".  During one of my job searches, the process went really quickly and they did exactly what I said... requested my references.  And I wasn't ready.  I finessed it by saying that I didn't have the phone numbers and e-mails, and that I'd write back, but I think I probably looked unprepared anyway.  During a job application, you want to seem prepared.

So who will make a good reference?  I tend to line up one of each of the following:

• Someone who used to be my manager, who will hopefully say that I was a joy to manage, got my work done well, and other things that a prospective manager looks for.

• Someone who operated at the same level.  Possibly someone who was on my same team, but also possibly just someone I interacted with; who can say good things about the quality of my work, as a peer.

• Someone who I've managed, if I'm looking for a management position.  I want someone to say that I was a good boss, professional, and helpful.  (And I expect they won't say that I'm overbearing and autocratic.)

• Someone in a different position, who I've worked with.  I'm a programmer (and manager of programmers), so having a QA person or Product Owner (for example) say that I'm a good guy shows that I can communicate with people outside of my area of expertise, and that it isn't just programmers who respect me.

If I have at least one of each of these, then I can choose any 3 as references for a given job.  Is there a startup that's looking for a programmer?  I'll probably want a former manager, a colleague, and a QA person who can talk about my bug stomping.  Is there a mid-size company looking for a tech lead?  I'll probably go with a former manager, someone I managed, and a Product Owner.  But really it will depend on the job and my guesses about what will impress them.

Other points:

• Ask someone, before giving their name.  I recently acted as a reference for someone, when I wasn't expecting it.  Not a big thing, but I would have appreciated some time to think about them before talking with someone who's considering them for a job.

• Don't choose someone who has mixed things to say about you.  I've seen this happen.  Your reference has to take this seriously.  He or she may need to apply for a job with these people some day, and so will want to be as honest as possible.

The standard questions that someone asks a reference are

1. How did you work with this person?
2. What are their strengths?
3. What are their weaknesses?
4. What else can you tell me?

Think about how someone might answer these questions.

Last point: people will understand if your references are not from your current job.  Don't feel that you need to use your current colleagues to get a job – and therefore have them know that you're doing a job search.