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As part of your preparation and application for the job at some point you are going to be asked for referees. You need to think about who you are going to ask and who would be the most appropriate for the job that you are applying for.

Most recruiters are probably thinking about the last two positions you held as the people they want to ask for references, but maybe there’s a good reason why you don’t want to give them. Perhaps you left under a cloud, the business no longer exists, or you had a personality clash.

Let’s have a look at the dos and don’ts of references.

1 Personal references. Unless you are specifically asked for personal references don’t give them. I have known many people give best friends, their doctor or a relative as a reference. Unless these people have seen you at work, or have been your boss, they probably won’t have the opinions I am looking for. The only time personal references tend to get used is when the person has just left school, college or university and has not had a previous employer. Even then, surely there was a Saturday job, a holiday job or an evening job?

one minute wonder Make sure that you approach the people you are choosing as referees and let them know about the job you are applying for, so they can expect a letter or a phone call and prepare what they want to say.

2 Business references. Consider the job that you are applying for. Which of your previous managers would be able to comment on your ability and its match to the job that you are applying for? Choose the best fit. Ask them first before you put them forward as a matter of courtesy. Make sure you have their up to date contact details so it makes it easier for the recruiter to contact them.

3 ‘To Whom it May Concern’ references. As an HR person I tend not to accept any of these. How do I know that you didn’t write the reference yourself? With the ability to copy and paste logos from the Internet, you could make your own headed paper and forge the reference. I would always check the source of the reference by contacting the referee.

If you aren’t using your last two employers as referees, be prepared to explain why not at interview.