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Besides writing a resume and sending a letter of intent, many employers in the IT industry also require you to provide a list of references. References represent a great way for your possibly new employers to understand where you are coming from and if you are an agreeable and reliable person to work with. However, asking for proper references is not that easy, and you need to do it with tact and consideration for the people you are asking them from.
Leave room for a 'no'
It is important to not be overly aggressive when you ask for a reference. Since your future employers will more likely call the persons listed with your references to ask more about you, they will find out if you are not exactly as described, and you will obtained quite the opposite effect.
For this reason, try contacting the people you want to obtain a reference from via phone or email. In case they are not comfortable with giving you a reference, they will find it easier to tell you 'no', unlike when meeting with them face to face.
How to politely ask for a reference
As it happens with other areas related to job hunting, you need to be tactful and considerate when asking for a reference. If you decide to ask directly, by saying 'Can I have a reference from you?', you are not doing a very good job. Keep in mind that you are looking to obtain a genuine reference, and that you must be sure that what is written in the reference will be supported by what the person will say when contacted by the would be employers. Try asking for a reference, saying something along the lines 'Do you consider you know enough about my responsibilities and qualifications to provide me with a reference?'
Read your references carefully
Do not forget to read the references you are given carefully. If you do not want certain mistakes to creep in, making you look bad in front of the other employers, you need to be well aware of everything that is written there. If you think it helps, provide the person you are asking a reference from with an updated version of your resume, so they can focus on your latest skills and qualifications when writing your reference.
How many references are needed
Usually, the standard number of references is three, and this is the number you should settle for. In case it makes you feel more comfortable, have another one ready to supply your would be employers with, just in case more are required.
Include with each reference, the name, title, and contact details of the person giving the reference. This way, your future employers will be able to contact them and ask them more details about you and your expertise.
Take the list of references along with your resume when your are asked for an interview, as it would make a good impression to be well prepared with everything at hand. It is even advised to bring a few copies with you, to supply all the interviewers with, in case they only have one resume to look at.
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