How to Choose the Right Referee

Tahnia Miller
Jan 19
2 min read

Referees can feel like a formality, but choosing the right one can make a real difference. A strong referee backs up your experience and reassures hiring managers they’re making the right call.

So, who should you nominate? We asked our expert recruitment team for tips.

1. Choose a direct supervisor

Your referee should be able to speak confidently about how you perform at work, not just that you’re “nice to work with”.

Sarah explains:

“Your referee needs to be someone who supervised you and can speak to your technical skills. Can you actually do the job?”

Former line managers, project managers or site supervisors are usually best. They can comment on your capability, reliability, safety awareness and how you perform in real project conditions.

2. Keep it recent (when possible)

While a long-standing referee can show loyalty, someone from a decade ago often isn’t the most helpful.

Paulina advises:

“Ideally, not someone from 10 years ago. The more recent the referee, the more relevant their feedback will be to how you work now — your current skill level, responsibilities, and approach.”

Hiring managers want to know how you operate today. Aim for referees from the past 2–3 years, unless an older role closely aligns with the position you’re applying for.

3. Make sure they’re relevant to the role

Not all referees suit all roles.

As Sharon puts it:

“You’re not paid to be lovely — you need to be able to do the job.”

A referee who understands the type of role you’re applying for can speak to what really matters: technical competence, decision-making, accountability, and delivery under pressure. The closer their experience is to the job in question, the more weight their feedback will carry.

4. Always ask and brief properly

Never list someone without asking first. Give your referee a heads-up, explain the role you’re applying for, and remind them of the key projects or responsibilities you’d like them to reference.

A prepared referee gives clearer, more confident feedback, which reflects well on you.

5. Choose someone who will speak positively (and honestly)

This sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. If there’s any doubt about what a referee might say, think carefully. Referees don’t need to claim you’re perfect, but they do need to genuinely support your application and articulate your strengths clearly.