Although you may think that having a great interview is the only thing you should be focusing on while trying to land a new job, things like your reference list are incredibly important as well. Picking the right references for your possible employee to contact is important because these people are the ones that will back up everything you said in your previous interview. Using your parents or best friend since the 5th grade just isn’t going to cut it on your reference list. You need people listed who really know how well you can handle tasks and stressful situations in a work environment. The best resource I've found so far is “Reference Check” by Liz Seasholtz, which takes you through the steps of perfecting your reference list:

Decide who to ask

Again, your best friend who you swapped lunches with all throughout junior high isn’t going to cut it. Seasholtz recommends contacting people like former professors, school advisors, bosses, coaches, extracurricular supervisors, or internship directors for references. Who you choose as your references should be able to attest to qualities that would make you ideal for the position you are looking to land. Quality examples include: Professionalism, being able to handle yourself in stressful situations, respect for coworkers, and retaining a positive attitude.

Prep work

Do not leave your contact list to the last minute! Definitely allow your contact person some time between you asking them if they would be ok with you using them as a reference and the time in which they are actually going to be contacted. This way you don’t come off looking unorganized at the last minute and your reference has time to think about all the great things he/she can say about you!

Keeping in Touch

Remain in touch with any contacts you have on your reference sheet. You never know when they might chance email addresses or change office locations so they have a new number. The last thing you want is to give a new employer the wrong phone number or contact information. Keep everything up to date!

Asking for the Reference

A simple, “Would it be alright if I used you as a reference for the new position I am interviewing for?” If your reference agrees, ask what is the best way for them to be contacted. Again, make sure that their information is correct when you take it down. Seasholtz does make a good point in offering them the option of saying “no” so they do not feel cornered or pressured.

Keep Them Informed

Make sure to let your reference know who will be contacting them. Information about the person and company with whom they will be speaking will give your contact person a better idea as to what kind of responses your interviewer is looking for.

What to provide your interviewer

For the most part, providing your interviewer with a name, contact information, and your relationship with each reference will be fine. Although, if there is a better way to contact your reference, like on LinkedIn.com , be sure to add that onto your contact sheet. When to provide it: Seasholtz says that there is no real rush when it comes to turning in your contact sheet. Meaning, don’t throw it into your interviewers hands unless they ask for it during the interview process. For the most part, interviewers will only ask for your contact list when they are ready to make a decision about hiring you and all they want to do is confirm that you are the right person for the job.

Staying on top of your reference list is a vital part of landing a job. Your contacts will be able to back you up and set your interviewer’s mind to ease in knowing that you are the right person to hire. Making sure that your reference list is as pristine as your resume is important because that list is what is really going to back your resume and your interview up.