References, or letters of recommendation, are verbal or written testimonials that assist you in your job hunt by verifying what you have said about yourself on your r sum , on a job application, or in a job interview. These people can attest to your professional qualifications, background, and experience and relate those factors to your present career goals. The terms references, recommendations, and credentials are often used interchangeably, and all mean basically the same thing. References are helpful tools in the job search but will not by themselves make or break your success. Like other job hunting tools, it takes some effort and preparation to get your references organized and ready to assist you before you begin an active job search.
Employers ask for and use references in a variety of ways.
Again, because employers' use of references vary, it is important to be prepared for any circumstance and to be able to quickly provide the type of reference requested. The first step in your preparation is to choose the people whom you would like to serve as your references. Choose these people carefully. In most cases employers require between three to five references. As a rule of thumb, a person serving as a reference should have known you for at least a year and should be able to speak honestly and objectively about your work abilities.