who can you list as professional references attorney

Your references should be a list of (usually three) individuals whom the employer can contact to talk about you and your work experience. The most appropriate references are your current or former employers (including summer internships) and your law school professors (including clinical professors and instructors).

Full Answer

Who should you hire as your professional references?

Professional references should consist of people who can vouch for your work ethic, skills, competence and character – think of former supervisors, current colleagues, subordinates, fellow classmates, etc. (Read our related post: Why Your Professional Network is Bigger Than You Think .)

How should I format my list of professional references?

You will need to format your list of professional references either to include with your application materials, or else to email to the hiring manager later on in the hiring process. The employer will typically advise you on how and when to provide references.

What references do you need for a law school application?

The most appropriate references are your current or former employers (including summer internships) and your law school professors (including clinical professors and instructors). Before you provide an employer with your list of references, contact your references and ask permission to use their names.

Can You List A coworker as a reference?

If you feel comfortable and trust them, you are welcome to list current coworkers as references. Sometimes they may be the most qualified to answer questions about your responsibilities and skills. However, only do so if you feel confident in providing that person’s information. How do I ask someone to be a reference?

Who can you include in professional references?

Who to Use as a Reference?Boss or manager. The best professional reference is a former (or current) boss or manager. ... Colleagues. The next best thing to listing a boss is a former or current colleague. ... Professors. ... Other well-known professionals. ... Volunteer, Internships and Freelance Work.

Who should you choose as a professional reference?

Ideally, your list should include a mixture of former and current bosses, coworkers, and subordinates. “The best references are from people who have worked closely with you,” says Fernández-Aráoz. Never ask someone to be a reference if you don't know for certain what he or she is going to say, adds Claman.

Who are you allowed to use as a reference?

If possible, you should choose someone who has supervised you professionally or who has worked closely with you. A manager, supervisor or even a co-worker from a casual job may be able to speak to your work habits or transferable skills (the skills that you can take from one job to another).

Who should not be listed on a list of professional references?

People You Should Never Use as a Professional ReferenceFamily Members. Believe it or not, candidates have put a family member (or two) on their reference list. ... Anyone Who Fired You. A person who fired you will either say one of two things: ... Friends or Roommates. ... Anyone Who's Not Expecting a Call.

Can a friend be a professional reference?

A good reference can make all the difference, offering insight into your skills, accomplishments, and character that a hiring manager can't get from your resume and application materials alone. Friends can make excellent professional and personal references for your job search.

Can a coworker be a professional reference?

A professional reference is someone who has worked closely with you for at least six months within the past seven years. They are usually a coworker or immediate supervisor, but can also be a department head, higher-level manager or client if they interacted with you regularly.

Can a professional reference be a family member?

If you've worked in a family-owned business for a number of years and your boss happens to be a family member, you can certainly list them as a reference.

Do references have to be managers?

As such, professional references should be anyone who can attest to your work, such as: Current or former boss. Coworkers, either at your current job or previous jobs. People who report to you, either now or in previous roles.

What is the difference between a personal and professional reference?

A professional reference—such as a manager or team leader—shares information about who you are at work, including your work ethic and performance. A personal reference is someone you know outside of work who can share information about your character and skills you've used in your non-work life.

What happens if you don't have 3 professional references?

As long as you can find a trusted contact who will speak positively about your character, you can supply a reference. Even if you've only interacted with someone a few times, they can still act as a reference. Make a list of people you've interacted with besides family.

Can I use a family friend as a reference?

While friends and family are acceptable referees, it is better for you to select someone who is not immediate family as their opinion may be construed as being biased.

What do you do if you don't have any professional references?

Here's who to include instead:Your Favorite Professor. Depending on how big your graduating class was, you may have a few professors you can think to ask, or you may have just one. ... The Family Member or Friend You've Done Work For. ... An Older Student You Shared a Class With. ... A Leader From Your Past.

What is a good reference for a job?

Professional references can be a powerful tool in deciding whether or not you will get the job. A strong recommendation from the right reference can convince the prospective employer that you are the right person for the job, while a negative reference can knock you out from the list of new hires. Here are some of the things to consider when choosing the best references for a job:

What is a professional reference?

What are Professional References? Professional references are persons who can vouch for your qualifications for a job based on their insight into your work ethic, skills, strengths, and achievements. Typically, a professional reference is a former employer. Management Theories Management theories are concepts surrounding recommended management ...

What to include in a reference list?

Under each reference, include the person’s name, job title, company, mail address, email, and phone number. Also, include information on your relationship with the reference.

What is interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal skills are the skills required to effectively communicate, interact, and work with individuals and groups. Those with good interpersonal skills are strong verbal and non-verbal communicators and are often considered to be “good with people”. Leadership Traits.

What is management theory?

Management Theories Management theories are concepts surrounding recommended management strategies, which may include tools such as frameworks and guidelines that can be implemented in modern organizations. Generally, professionals will not rely solely on one management theory alone.

How to list a reference?

1. Ask permission. Make sure to inform and ask the permission of the person you want to list as a professional reference before giving out their contact information. It helps them know to expect to be contacted in the future, so they can prepare what to say when called upon. 2.

How to get a reference for a new job?

1. Ask a manager or former boss . The immediate former boss or manager would be the best person to act as the reference for a new job. They can recommend your work based on your achievements and relationship with other team members.

What should a law school reference be?

Your references should be a list of (usually three) individuals whom the employer can contact to talk about you and your work experience. The most appropriate references are your current or former employers (including summer internships) and your law school professors (including clinical professors and instructors).

What should be included in a resume reference?

A list of your references should be provided as an attachment and include a name, title, contact information and how you know the reference (see attached sample). Only provide references if the employer asks for them.

What should a professional reference consist of?

Professional references should consist of people who can vouch for your work ethic, skills, competence and character – think of former supervisors, current colleagues, subordinates, fellow classmates, etc. (Read our related post: Why Your Professional Network is Bigger Than You Think .)

Should you embellish your resume?

This is another reason to never embellish or lie on your resume: the years of experience you have, for example, should match what your references say. If not, employers will see a lack of integrity and honesty. On the same note, pick references that are ethical. Never have a reference say they are someone they are not or claim to be in ...

Do you need references on your resume?

Or, you can ask references to touch on different skills that can be applied at any job – for example, time management skills, teamwork ability, leadership skills, problem solving skills, etc. There is no need to list “References Available upon Request” on your resume. This will be assumed by employers.

1. The mother you babysit for

I spent a lot of time post-nannying job wondering why I wasted so much time on a job that didn’t even give me a good reference. But I quickly found out that leaving nanny positions off my résumé and leaving the mothers I worked for off of my reference list was leaving a huge gap in my employment history, and doing me a disservice.

4. Your professor

Although you don’t always form close relationships with teachers and professors, (especially if you go to a huge university), there are certain times where your professor can be one of the best references on your list.

5. A classmate who worked on a huge project with you

In the communication department, almost all of our work is group work. Although it is not every person’s favorite thing to work in a group on every assignment, it makes for a highly effective communication environment, and also some really close personal and professional bonds.

Why do employers ask for references?

When and Why Employers Want References. During the job application process, you will most likely be asked for references who can attest to your qualifications. The company may want to verify your credentials and speak to your reference givers to gauge your ability to do the job well. 2 .

How to list references for an employer?

When you provide a list of professional references to an employer, you should include: Your name at the top of the page. List your references, including their name, job title, company, and contact information, with a space in between each reference. Include at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform ...

How to save a Word document as a PDF?

Here's how: For Word Documents: click “File, Save As, PDF (.pdf)” to save your documents as PDF files. For Google Docs files: click “File, Download, PDF (.pdf)” document. Save the files with your name, so they don't get mixed up with other applicants' materials, e.g., janeapplicant.pdf.

Do you have to round up references?

It's also important to contact your references for permission to use them and to advise them that they may be contacted. 1  This way, you won't have to round up a list of reference givers at the last minute.

Can you help colleagues with references?

While most people are happy to help colleagues out with references and recommendations, there may be personal circumstances or professional policies preventing them from doing so at a particular time. Consider When to Use a Character or Personal Reference.

Do you list references on a website?

Listing your references on the page isn't your last step in this process. If you haven't already, ask permission from each of your references. It's important only to submit the names of people who have agreed to serve as a reference. 1 

Why do companies ask for references?

Businesses ask for references to develop a more thorough understanding of who you are. A company typically contacts your references after an interview goes well for the following reasons: 1 To get a better understanding of how you perform at work, as well as your strengths and weaknesses 2 To determine if your work style is a good fit for the position 3 Your professional ethics, values, character and personal integrity 4 Your interactions with coworkers and superiors, and how you might fit into the company culture 5 To confirm your work history. For example, some employers want to speak with your former supervisor or the human resources department to check the dates of your employment, your job title and your role's responsibilities. In this case, references also may be part of a background check for certain roles, such as law enforcement and government agencies.

How to get a reference for a job?

Provide a job description. Give your reference as much information as possible to prepare for the hiring manager's call or email. Describing the job you are applying for can help your reference know which skills, traits and experience they should focus on. Send your references a copy of your resume. Your resume can help personal references see your ...

What is a professional reference?

A professional reference is someone who has worked closely with you for at least six months within the past seven years. They are usually a coworker or immediate supervisor, but can also be a department head, higher-level manager or client if they interacted with you regularly. You should choose professional references who can speak directly about your daily work habits, performance, work ethic and professional goals so that the employer can get a clear idea of who you are in the workplace and how you contributed to the work environment.

How to ask someone to speak on your behalf?

Ask in person first. Once you have chosen who you'd like to speak on your behalf, consider meeting with them in person to ask them formally.

What is a reference?

What are references? References are people who are able to describe your character, abilities, accomplishments and work performance to an employer. These are people who know you well outside of work or who have worked with you at least six months. References answer employer's questions about how they know you, who you are and their experience ...

How long do you have to give a reference?

Give your references time to say yes or no. After you formally ask someone to be a reference, it's best to give them a few days or a week to decide. You can let them know when you need to provide their information and submit your application so they know when they have to make their decision.

What do you do when a letter is delivered unopened?

If your reference gives you the letter to deliver to the company, they should sign or stamp over the envelope seal to show that the envelope was delivered unopened. Other times, the company will call your reference to ask them questions.

Choosing Who to Ask For A Professional Reference

See more on corporatefinanceinstitute.com

How to Provide Professional References to Employers

Qualities of A Good Professional Reference

More Resources