Reference checks are a standard part of the hiring process of most companies. By contacting and talking with people who are familiar with your work habits and character, employers can verify the skills and accomplishments that caught their attention in your résumé and portfolio as well as gain insight into your personality and integrity.
The time to start gathering references for your job hunt is before you actually need them. Before you graduate from architecture school or leave a current job, approach potential references and ask for their permission to be included with your résumé or if they can provide you with a written letter of recommendation.
It is best to use people who have had direct experience with your work abilities rather than people who did not actually work with you and can give only general information about you. Examples of good references include previous supervisors and co-workers, mentors or colleagues with whom you worked during your internship, college professors who have evaluated your work, and classmates from a group studio design project. Make sure, however, that these references are people who have positive opinions of your work abilities by asking them to share some of the things they would say about you.
Using the standard phrase “References supplied upon request” in your résumé is no longer recommended, because it states the obvious. Many architectural firms pre-screen applicants through their references, so be proactive and supply your references along with your résumé. Use a separate sheet rather than including them in the résumé itself. You’ll want to save as much space as possible in your résumé for detailing your education, job skills, and accomplishments. List each reference’s name, firm with whom the person is employed, job title or relationship to you, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Include copies of any written letters of recommendation you have.
Finally, don’t just forget about your references after you’ve completed your résumé. Periodically send them an e-mail, letter, or greeting card thanking them for their endorsements, updating them about your job hunt or career, and asking for permission to continue using them as a reference. If a reference was particularly influential in helping you successfully land a job, extend a more personal gesture of thanks such as treating him or her to a meal or sending a small, appropriate gift. Maintaining contact with your references in this way acts as a good investment in your future career.