References and recommendations are quietly powerful because they are one of the few parts of an application where someone else vouches for you. A credible recommendation can carry more weight than simply telling an employer yourself that you are reliable, capable or hard-working. Yet many students handle them badly: they ask the wrong people, ask awkwardly or too late, or list referees without preparing them. Done well, references can tip an application in your favour. Let me show you who to ask, how to ask, and how to use references and recommendation letters to your advantage.
Quick answer
Ask people who genuinely know your work and think well of you (usually internship supervisors, seniors you worked under, or professors) to be references or write recommendations. Ask politely and directly, ideally while your work is fresh in their mind, and make it easy for them by sharing your CV and a reminder of what you did. Use references thoughtfully in applications: list the right referee for the role, keep them informed, and always ask permission first. A well-chosen, well-prepared referee who genuinely rates you is worth far more than an impressive-sounding name who barely knows you.
Who to ask
The best referee is someone who has actually seen your work and formed a good opinion of it. In practice, that usually means an internship supervisor you worked closely under, a senior or lawyer you assisted, or a professor who knows your work well. Choose based on the strength and relevance of the relationship, not seniority alone: a mid-level associate who supervised you directly and rates your work is a far better reference than a big name who barely remembers you. And match the referee to the role where you can (someone from a disputes internship for a disputes role, for example).
How to ask
- Ask politely and directly: “Would you be comfortable being a reference for me / writing me a recommendation?” A clear, respectful ask is easy to answer.
- Ask at the right time: ideally while your work is fresh in their mind (near or soon after your time with them), so the reference is strong and specific.
- Make it easy for them: offer your CV and a short reminder of what you did, especially if some time has passed. This helps them give a stronger, more specific reference.
- Always ask permission before listing someone, and confirm they are happy to be contacted.
How to use references and recommendations well
Using them well is about thoughtfulness and courtesy. List the right referee for each role, so their relevance is clear. Keep your referees informed: let them know when they might be contacted and for what, so they are prepared and not surprised. Never list someone without asking, and never assume; a referee caught off guard can give a lukewarm reference. And close the loop: thank your referees, and tell them how it went. Treating your referees with care keeps them willing to help you again, turning references into a lasting asset rather than a one-time favour.
YLCC ACTION STEP: Make a short list of two or three people who genuinely know your work and would speak well of you, and secure their willingness to be references now (asking while your work is fresh in their mind). Having ready, willing, well-briefed referees means you can respond to any application’s reference request immediately, with people who will genuinely vouch for you.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t list a referee without asking them first; a surprised referee can undercut you, and it is discourteous. And please don’t chase an impressive name who barely knows your work over someone who supervised you closely and rates you; the second gives a far stronger reference. Choose relationships that will genuinely vouch for you, and prepare them.
FAQs
- Who should I ask to be a reference? Someone who genuinely knows your work and thinks well of it, usually an internship supervisor, a senior you worked under, or a professor who knows your work. Relevance and strength of relationship over seniority.
- How do I ask for a reference or recommendation? Politely and directly, ideally while your work is fresh, and make it easy by sharing your CV and a reminder of what you did. Always ask permission before listing anyone.
- When should I ask? Ideally while your work is fresh in their mind (near or soon after your time with them), so the reference is strong and specific.
- How do I use references well in applications? List the right referee for each role, keep them informed so they are prepared, always ask permission, and thank them afterwards. Care keeps them willing to help again.
- Is a big name better than a closer relationship? No. A closer supervisor who genuinely rates your work gives a far stronger reference than an impressive name who barely knows you.
Thank you for reading!
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