Choosing your referees
A good referee can talk positively about you and has worked with you directly, such as a manager or trainer.
Not much work experience yet? The National Careers Service suggests asking:
- a teacher or college tutor who knows you well
- a team leader from a volunteering group or sports team
- someone respected in your community
In Australia's public service, one referee is generally expected to be a current or recent supervisor.
- Ask each referee before you give their name.
- Send them the job ad, and remind them of what you did together.
- Check their phone number and email are current.
When references are checked
In the UK, Acas says it's best to ask for references at the final stage, when making a job offer. Employers may do this at the same time as other checks, such as DBS or health checks.
So don't resign from a current job too soon. New Zealand's careers service says to get a written offer or a signed agreement first.
Police and background checks by country
United Kingdom
A DBS check shows criminal records. A basic check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. DBS checks don't cover time someone lived outside the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.
Australia
A National Police Certificate is a summary of your offender history in Australia. You must state the purpose of the check when you apply. Different purposes can lead to different results.
United States
- Employers must get your written permission before running a background check through a reporting company.
- Before deciding not to hire you because of the report, they must take certain steps. These include giving you a copy of the report and a summary of your rights.
- If you're turned down because of the report, you can ask the reporting company for a free copy. Ask within 60 days of the decision.
Asking someone to be your referee
Here is a made-up message asking a former manager to be a referee.
Made-up example
Ana, asking her former volunteer manager
Subject
Opening
Reminder
Details
Close
It asks first, makes it easy to say no, and reminds Grace of a result she can talk about.
Questions
Who should I choose as a referee?
Someone who has worked with you directly, such as a manager or trainer. With little work history, a teacher, tutor or team leader from a volunteer group can work.
Do I need my referees' permission?
Always ask them first. It's polite, and they'll be ready when the call comes.
Can an employer run a background check without asking me?
In the US, an employer needs your written permission to use a background reporting company. Rules differ in other countries.
Does a UK DBS check cover time abroad?
No. DBS checks don't cover time someone lived outside the UK.
Sources
Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.
- Application form advice · National Careers Service (England)
- 7. The interview and other assessment: cracking the code · Australian Public Service Commission
- Job references: when an employer must give a reference · Acas
- Job offers and employment agreements · Tahatū, Tertiary Education Commission (NZ)
- Check someone's criminal record: checks you can make on someone's record · GOV.UK
- National Police Checks · Australian Federal Police
- Employer Background Checks and Your Rights · US Federal Trade Commission