Every part of looking for a new job is stressful. There’s a lot of work that seems like it’s not producing any results, you have to juggle a lot of moving parts, and you have to look as professional and valuable as possible in every word. References are an unexpectedly stressful element because you never know what your reference says about you. But you can remove a great deal of uncertainty and stress by preparing a list of references ahead of time. Most employers ask for a list of three to five eventually (even if they might not contact them). Start setting the stage for great references right now with these tips.

1. Stay in Contact With the People You Want to Use as a Reference

This one might seem obvious, but it almost always falls by the wayside. If you have a coworker who was a die-hard ally a couple of jobs back, you can’t rely on that old connection alone. Your jobs skills have changed, your experience has increased, and you’re probably trying for a more advanced position. Even if that colleague goes to bat for you with old stories of how you saved the day, it might not be enough. So make sure you stay connected with them professionally, even if (or sometimes especially if) you’re also friends. Connect on LinkedIn so they’re aware of your job updates and your new skills. Talk about recent accomplishments and new certifications you have the next time you see them. An old reference can still be a good reference if they cast you in a great light, but they need to pepper in some new information, too.

Staying in contact is even more important if you want a former coworker to provide a reference and you’re not friends outside of the office. It might seem awkward or like the conversation is a bit forced, but congratulating them for promotions and occasionally asking them how things are going makes it easier to reach out to them. It’s also okay if you’re clearly networking: everyone knows the value of having a good reference and they might need you on their list one day. Social media makes it easy than ever to keep casual contact. So go find them on LinkedIn and send a friendly message or a congratulatory note. That’s something you can do right now to make asking for a reference a few weeks down the line so much easier.

2. Check Over Your Reference From an Outside Perspective

Your references impact an interviewer’s first impression of your character. Depending on the nature of the job, and especially if it involves a security clearance, who you know matters. So don’t just add references to your application so you can click to the next page. Check if they make you look good first.

You may know that your former manager is a hard worker and a great judge of character. But if your potential employer checks up on them and sees a LinkedIn profile full of spelling errors or a Facebook account full of inappropriate pictures, that reference’s word is going to count for less. It’s not as bad of a strike as having those problems on your own profiles, but it can still hurt your employment chances. Make sure your references’ social media accounts look passable before you list them.

3. Remember That Permission Isn’t Evergreen

Just because a former coworker or manager said you can always use them for a reference doesn’t mean you can just add them to the list. You have to contact them and ask permission.  Maybe their contact information is out-of-date and you can’t find a reliable connection. Maybe they’re going through a stressful time in their life and they can’t focus on being a good reference. Even if they’re still willing and able to talk to your potential employer, they’ll still be caught off guard.

Don’t wait for a specific interview or company. If you know you’re looking for a new position or you’re currently unemployed, just ask if you can list them in your search as a whole instead of for a specific position at a particular business. That’s something you can do now and get out of the way.

Asking for permission at the start of your next big job search is also a great time to make sure all the relevant details are up to date. You can verify their contact information. You can explain what kind of jobs you’re applying for, which is particularly crucial if you’re switching career fields or applying for a higher position than you had when you worked with them. It also means you can ask them to point out one particular quality or another so long as they’re comfortable with it.

Learn More About Fixing These Reference Mistakes

Go to Bishop & Company for more ways to make your job search less stressful. As our candidate, you’ll have to a team who listens to you plus access to a huge database of opportunities that are not advertised to the public and, just as important, a placement that truly aligns with your life. Send us your resume or search our jobs and apply online today.