CHOOSING AND USING REFEREES

WHO TO CHOOSE?

Typically your first referee will be academic. This would be your course or personal tutor or some other member of staff who knows you well, such as a project supervisor. As well as being able to comment on your academic results and likely degree class, it would be helpful if they knew you well enough to be able to comment on your personal attributes as well. If your tutor isn't available and you can't think of anyone else to use, talk to the departmental office who should be able to suggest someone. All academic staff should have access to your marks.

Your second referee would typically be an employer for whom you had worked in the vacation. Alternatively it might be a family friend who has known you for a number of years. Ideally they should be working in some professional position - banker, teacher, doctor etc. Otherwise it might be a teacher with whom you were still in regular contact, or someone who supervised you in some way - church youth group leader, director of a youth orchestra you played for, sports coach for a team you've played for, supervisor of voluntary work etc.

References for postgraduate study. Employment references are less important here and you might put more than one academic referee - perhaps a tutor and a project or dissertation supervisor.

If you are asked for a third referee, it could be anyone from the above groups - a second employer or academic - preferably someone who will give a different perspective - a project supervisor, or someone who teaches on a different course.

The key point is that the referee should know you well enough to be able to write positively about you. They should also know you relatively recently - a teacher that you haven't seen for five years won't be able to say much about your present development. They should of course be someone who sees you in a favourable light.

Choose your referees carefully ...

NEGATIVE REFERENCES

• This student impressed by her determination to do as little work as possible
• Of all the people I have met, he was certainly one of them
• Not so much of a has-been, but more of a definitely won't be.
• Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
• Would be out of his depth in a puddle.
• Has delusions of adequacy.
• Sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
• Should go far: and the sooner he starts, the better.
• Is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
• Has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
• His staff would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity.

ASKING FOR A REFERENCE: HOW NOT TO DO IT!

• Will you please be a referee for a job for which I am appalling?
• I haven't given referees, but I could find somebody if it is necessary.
• References available on request - if I give them a few quid.
• References: none. I've left a path of destruction behind me.
• Don't take the comments of my previous employer too seriously: they were unappreciative beggars and slave drivers.
  

Please comment on the student's academic performance over the past two years and their academic ability:

Victoria Spice has applied to join our organisation as a graduate trainee and has given your name as a referee.

I would therefore be most grateful if you would comment on the following points:

• How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
• The candidate's academic record at university, and their expected class of degree.
• Their personal characteristics and abilities and their ability to do the job they have applied for.
• Whether this person is a fit and proper person to become an actuary given that our work requires the highest degree of professional probity and confidentiality.
• Whether the applicant would be suited to a job which requires a major commitment to exam preparation
• Anything else you feel we should consider.

What your referee might really mean (NOT of course to be taken seriously!)

• Careful thinker: can't make decisions
• Very well qualified: has committed no major blunders to date.
• Quick thinking: offers plausible excuses for errors.
• Leadership qualities: has a loud voice.
• Unusually loyal: wanted by no-one else.
• Alert to company developments: an office gossip.
• Needs work-value attitudinal readjustment: lazy
• Will go far: managers son or daughter.
• Should go far: please!
• Effective time management: clock watcher.
• Creative: finds reasons to do anything except work.
• Excellent use of resources: delegates everything.
• Active socially: drinks heavily.
• Zealous: opinionated.

• Unlimited potential: will stay until retirement.
• Takes pride in work: conceited.
• Takes advantage of every opportunity to progress: buys drinks for superiors.
• Deals tactfully with superiors: knows when to keep mouth shut.
• Approaches difficult problems with logic: finds someone else to do the job.
• Expresses self well: can string two sentences together.
• Spends extra hours on the job: miserable home life.
• Conscientious: scared.
• Attention to detail: nitpicker.
• Good sense of humor: knows lots of dirty jokes.
• Strong adherence to principles: stubborn.