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Even when you’ve polished your resume to perfection, crafted a strong cover letter template, and nailed your interviews, there’s still one final checkpoint you have to pass—references. For many job seekers, this step can make or break an offer. Even if you’ve left a company on decent terms, you might still worry about what your former employer will say when a recruiter calls. Today we’re going to talk about how you can make sure your professional reputation shines long after you’ve left the building. Let’s begin.
Leave on a High Note
How you exit a job often determines how people remember you. When you resign, do it gracefully—give proper notice, offer to help transition your responsibilities, and avoid venting frustrations on your way out.
Your final weeks are an opportunity to reinforce your professionalism. Be reliable, finish projects strong, and make sure your team isn’t left scrambling when you go. Even if you’ve had challenges with management or workload, focus on maintaining a positive tone. People remember how you made them feel, not every detail of what went wrong. A gracious exit can turn a neutral reference into a glowing one.
Communicate Your Appreciation
It might sound simple, but expressing gratitude goes a long way. Before you leave, take time to personally thank your manager and colleagues. A quick note or short conversation acknowledging their mentorship or support, can strengthen relationships that endure beyond your employment.
An example of a quick message could be something as simple as:
- “I’ve really appreciated your guidance on [specific project/skill]. Working with you has been one of the highlights of my time here.”
A message like this will be memorable, and when your former boss gets a reference call months later, they’ll recall that appreciation.
Choose the Right People (and Ask the Right Way)
Not all references are created equal. Ideally, you want to select people who can speak directly to your work ethic, character, and achievements. This might include:
- A direct supervisor who oversaw your work.
- A cross-functional colleague or project lead you collaborated with.
- A senior member who can vouch for your professional growth.
When you reach out, make sure your request is personal and specific. Instead of just asking, “Can I list you as a reference?” try something like this:
- “I really valued our time working together on [name of project]. Would you be open to serving as a reference and highlighting my [specific strengths/skills]?”
This approach helps your reference prepare and ensures they know what to emphasize when contacted.
Keep in Touch After You Leave
Too often, job seekers only reach out to former managers when they need something. Instead, maintain your professional network over time. You can do this by sending an occasional email or LinkedIn message to share updates, congratulate them on a career milestone, or simply to check in.
This doesn’t need to be overly formal or frequent; a short message once or twice a year keeps your relationship current. This way, when the time comes to use them as a reference, it doesn’t feel transactional but instead feels like a natural continuation of your professional connection.
Control the Narrative
If you’re concerned about how a former employer might describe your departure, it helps to be proactive. When discussing your work history with a recruiter or in interviews, address potential gaps or issues head-on, but with a positive spin. For example, you might say:
- “I realized I was looking for a culture that aligned more closely with my collaborative working style.”
You can’t control what someone says about you, but you can frame your story in a way that makes sense and shows maturity. Recruiters and hiring managers appreciate self-awareness, especially when paired with accountability.
Make It Easy for Them to Speak Well of You
If you’ve asked someone to be a reference, don’t leave them guessing. Send them your updated resume, a copy of the job description, and a few key talking points that highlight your most relevant accomplishments. Here, you might say:
- “The role focuses on data analysis and client communication, which are two areas we worked close on during [name of project]. I thought it might help to share some of those details in case they come up.”
Most managers will appreciate the context, and it helps them feel confident representing your work accurately. It also reinforces your professionalism and ability to thoroughly prepare—two traits employers value greatly.
Always Follow Up
After someone provides a reference for you, don’t forget to thank them. Whether you land the job or not, a short message or thank-you note can leave a lasting impression. Try something like this:
- “Thank you again for taking the time to speak with [name of company]. I really appreciate your support; it means a lot to me.”
Small gestures like this maintain goodwill and make people more likely to help you again in the future.
Build a Reputation That Speaks for Itself
The best way to ensure a good reference is to be the kind of employee people want to recommend. That means showing up on time, meeting deadlines, communicating clearly, and contributing positively to your team’s culture.
When you consistently perform with integrity, you make it easy for anyone (manager, coworker, or client) to speak highly of you. Over time, your reputation becomes your most reliable reference.
Always remember that every job, even the difficult ones, offer a chance to build relationships that can support your career long after you’ve moved on from a job. When former employees genuinely respect and appreciate your work, you won’t have to wonder what they’ll say about you because you’ll already know.
Rob Porter is an editor at Vault.
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