Asking for professional references can feel a bit overwhelming. You want to make sure you choose the right people and ask them in a way that feels comfortable. Whether you’re reaching out to a former ...

You never know when you might get a request to write a reference letter. In many instances, you will need a letter of reference when applying for a job. Either way, it’s vital to understand the ins ...

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR ...

References don’t have to be your direct manager. Strong references can come from a skip-level leader, a project lead or ...

Great professional references can make or break your job search, yet they are often the most overlooked part of an otherwise strong career campaign. Many people assume anyone they have worked with ...

References can be divided into two main categories by purpose: academic and professional. An academic reference is typically a formal letter of recommendation for an academic job, a scholarship, or a ...

This post originally appeared on LearnVest. When you’re gunning for a new job, there’s a good chance that you’ll spend hours poring over every bulletpoint on your résumé, and spend even more time ...

Job seekers make many false assumptions about their professional references: They think they can simply leave bad references off their resumes and that their references don't matter to an employer ...

Q: Someone asks to be connected to one of your professional contacts, but you are not impressed by this person’s work. How do you decline being their reference? A: It’s wise to be thoughtful about the ...