References Guidelines for Paralegals

The final line of your resume indicates that references are available upon request. The following guidelines may help you to choose the most appropriate references. Contact these references as soon as you begin your job search to obtain permission to use their names. Finally, be certain to inform your references when you accept a position, and thank them in a letter for their help in your job search.

Types of References


1. Usually, three or four references are requested on a job application.

2. The best references will be people who know you and can genuinely support you for a position.

3. Professional references may include: teachers, former employers, project directors, or professional colleagues.

4. Professional references should be able to do the following:
 

• Address your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for growth.
• Vouch for your job performance and work habits.
• Comment on your personal and professional characteristics and qualifications, such as reliability, initiative, commitment, and integrity.

5. Personal references (if requested) should address your honesty, integrity, reputation in the community, and so forth.

6. If you have limited job experience, rely on a reference who has seen your work either on a special project (part-time or volunteer) in or out of class.

7. Choose your references as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose someone who knows you and your work in the legal field. Choose someone who has observed you in a position that required the same or similar qualifications required of a paralegal (working with details, deadlines, clients, and so forth.)

8. Aim for a variety of references if you have limited work experience, so that the employer has verification of your abilities as well as capabilities. It will be very helpful to your references if you send them a copy of your resume. They will be able to guide their remarks accordingly, if they are aware of your background and accomplishments.

Reminders

1. Employers will check your references. So be certain to contact references for permission and inform them about the job or jobs for which you will be applying, so they can think about why you would be a good candidate.

2. If you are writing to someone to ask for permission to use him or her as a reference, identify how and in what context you know the person. For example, mention the class you attended, specific papers or projects you worked on, or any other details that could help the person recall your specific qualifications.

3. In requesting permission from a former boss or supervisor, refresh that person’s memory (particularly if the job was not in the recent past) by recalling the specific dates of your employment and in what capacity you worked. Sending them a current resume will also be helpful.

4. If you are unable to contact a former employer or if you have reason to believe that you would not receive a favorable recommendation and if that job was a significant part of your work history, ask a former colleague who knows your work well to serve as a reference for that particular employment period.

First-hand observation of a job applicant is very useful to an employer. And if you remember that employers are looking for a person with the personal, as well as professional, qualifications, you will choose references who can comment on both aspects. Remember that employers are looking for someone who will fit into the organization and be able to get along with the other employees.

References can and should be a valuable asset to your job search. Do not take them for granted. Always extend professional courtesy by contacting them for permission before you apply for the job and after you accept a position to let them know the results of your search.

For more information regarding references, see Acquiring References And Endorsements For Paralegal Jobs