A professional reference is a person who can speak to your skills and abilities as a professional. They are often people you have worked with in a paid setting, but they can also be people you have worked with in unpaid roles, such as volunteering. Professional references are used by employers to gauge your potential beyond your application and learn more about your professional trajectory and career growth. They can attest to your work ethic, skills, and achievements in your past roles, and give specific examples of your work, credentials, and reliability.

It is important to choose people who can speak to your skills and work ethic on a professional level. Usually, a professional reference is a boss or coworker, but it can also come from a client or vendor, depending on your employment situation. If you have no work experience, finding a professional reference can be tricky, but with a little bit of creative thinking, you can find people who can highlight your skills and use them as a professional reference.

It is essential to ask your potential professional references as professionally as possible. Once you have established your list of professional references, dont supply them to employers without asking them to act as a reference. You should also prepare your professional references by having a discussion with them about your major work accomplishments, strengths, and areas of expertise, and whether they will be able to handle questions about you with grace.

In summary, a professional reference is a person who can vouch for your qualifications for a job based on their insight into your work ethic, skills, strengths, and achievements. They are an important tool for employers to evaluate you as a candidate and learn more about your professional trajectory and career growth.