Good references are like back up singers.

A good reference should make you look and sound good. Here are some tips for recruiting your professional back up team:

1. Choose 3-5 references: you want to have more than 2 in case someone is out of town and you need a fast response.

2. Choose a variety:  Think about different perspectives employers will be interested in: colleague, supervisor, team member, customer ( someone from the audience you serve), funder...
3. Never assume: Ask people to be your reference.  Ideally ask people before you need them..so you don’t catch people off guard.   Ask them in a way that makes it OK for them to say no. "Would you be comfortable being a reference for me? If not, that’s OK..just let me know. "

The bottom line: your reference needs to be able to give strong, credible testimony to your strengths as a professional. If someone is not able to do that..you don’t want them to be your reference.

4. Keep contact information current: Make sure you have their current phone number, including cell phone and an email address they check regularly.

5. Give them a heads up before you give out their name and contact information, let them know. The last thing you want to do is catch them off guard or give out their name only to find out they are on vacation for a week.

Photo: Polkaholic back up singers!
Originally uploaded by Vera Gavrilovic ... PolkaSceneZine