prepare-a-reference-request

name	prepare-a-reference-request
category	get-hired
description	Prepare a reference request with informed consent, role context, truthful evidence prompts, timing, privacy, and an easy decline. Use when asking someone to support an application.

prepare-a-reference-request

When to use

• Use before naming or sharing a reference’s details.
• Never script praise, hide role risk, or imply consent.

Procedure

1. Choose someone who directly knows relevant work.
2. Ask whether they can provide a candid reference for the specific context.
3. Share role, deadline, format, recipient, privacy, and likely topics.
4. Provide a concise evidence sheet of verified work they observed.
5. Invite correction and an easy decline.
6. Confirm permission before submitting their contact information.

Failure plan

• If they cannot support the application, thank them and choose another source.

Worked example

A manager receives the posting and three observed project examples, not a prewritten testimonial.

Done

• A reference-request message and evidence sheet record context, observed work, timing, format, privacy, and consent
• Relationship, observation, truth, deadline, contact-sharing, easy-decline, correction, and confirmation checks verify readiness