How to Ask For a Reference

References can speak to your character as a person or employee. When you ask for a reference, you are asking for someone to stake their reputation on your future performance.

You are asking them to offer insight into your character. A reference should be someone you have a working relationship with or someone who has seen your performance, work ethic and character.

People you may want to reach out to as a reference can be your coaches, teachers, mentors, bosses, or employers, ministers, volunteer coordinators, supervisors or someone in a management role to you. 

Generally, It is not appropriate to ask for a family member to act as a reference for you. Most of the time employers see family members as having a bias toward you. It also gives the impression that you can’t find someone else to vouch for you.  

A good way to ask for a reference is to explain the job and why you think this person can vouch for you. It is best to ask for someone to be a reference in person, but email or by phone is appropriate as well. The ask might go something like this: 

Hey  ____________ I’m applying for a job at Mountain TOP this summer and wanted to see if you could fill out this reference form for me. I thought you would be a good person to speak to my character, especially since we’ve been working together for so long. If I get the job I’ll be working in Tennessee for the summer at a non-profit that does home repair and provides day camp programs for local Kids. I really feel like this is the place I’m supposed to be this summer and your reference can really help shape whether I can be there. Do you have any questions about the job I can answer? 

Of course this is a little formal and generic, but feel free to use this as a guide when asking for a reference.

Sometimes employers ask for references for them to call and other times they would like letters of recommendation. Another place references can be listed is on a resume or your website.

Mountain TOP asks for Summer staff applicants to share this link with references to complete. Regardless of what kind of reference is asked for, you should always expect the employer to reach out to your references.

If you have questions about reaching out to a reference or about working on Mountain TOP summer staff, please reach out to Chad at chad@mountain-top.org or call us in the office at 931-692-3999

Apply to Mountain TOP’s summer staff here.

Then send this link to your references!