Review whether you need a personal reference and how to ask for it.
What Is a Personal Reference?
A personal reference is someone who knows you relatively well and can attest to who you are as a person. A personal reference is different from a professional reference, which is what employers are typically looking for. A professional reference is someone you’ve worked with who can attest to your work skills and habits. A personal reference doesn’t necessarily need to be someone you’ve worked with.
Alternate name: Character reference
How Personal References Work
When you’re applying for jobs, you’ll typically be asked for references at some point during the hiring process. Make sure you read the job posting carefully or pay close attention to the hiring manager regarding the type of references they are asking for. In most cases, employers are looking for professional references. If you’re new to the job market, you might not have enough professional references. In that case, personal references may be able to provide insight into your work ethic and capacities. If you’re not sure what type of reference a potential employer is looking for, it’s acceptable to ask whether personal or professional references are preferred.
Do I Need a Personal Reference?
While it’s a good idea to have references from people who have worked with you, it can also be helpful to have personal references. This is particularly true for recent grads, who may not have a lot of paid work experience in their field, but who probably have professors or casual employers who can speak to their qualifications as an employee. Someone you did babysitting or pet sitting for would be a casual employer. More experienced workers who are changing careers may also want to include a personal reference who can recommend them based on familiarity with a different set of skills.
How to Get a Personal Reference
Business acquaintances, teachers, professors or academic advisors, volunteer leaders, religious workers, friends, coaches, and neighbors are all potential personal references. If possible, don’t choose someone who you’ve only had limited or casual interactions with. You need your reference to be able to provide a specific and genuine testimonial to your character. After all, the employer intends to get a comprehensive understanding of your personality and ability to succeed on the job. If your reference’s response is vague, overly general, or brief, this goal won’t be met. You could also ask a co-worker who knows you on a personal level to serve as a personal reference. Keep in mind that when employers explicitly request a personal reference, they may be more interested in hearing about your interpersonal skills, reputation, and personal characteristics than your specific achievements in a professional setting.
Steps to Asking for a Personal Reference
You don’t want to give someone’s name as a personal reference without talking to them first. Here are the steps to ask for a personal reference.
