How to Prepare References for a Nigerian Job Application

A good reference can help an employer confirm your character, work habits and experience after reviewing your application. However, many jobseekers in Nigeria make avoidable mistakes, such as listing someone without permission, using an unsuitable referee or providing incomplete contact details.

Preparing references is not only about writing down names and phone numbers. You need to choose people who can give relevant and honest information about you, obtain their consent and present their details professionally. This guide explains how to do that for employment applications, internships, graduate roles and other opportunities.

What is a job reference?

A job reference is a recommendation or verification provided by someone who knows you professionally, academically or through another relevant responsibility. An employer may contact the referee to confirm facts about your background and ask questions about your reliability, skills, conduct and suitability for the role.

A reference is different from a personal testimonial written entirely by you. The referee should provide their own view, based on real experience with you. Depending on the employer, references may be requested during the application process, after an interview or before a formal offer.

Who should you choose as a referee?

The best referee is someone who knows your work or abilities well and can give specific examples. Seniority can help, but a famous or high-ranking person who barely knows you may be less useful than a direct supervisor or lecturer who has worked closely with you.

Suitable referees may include:

• A current or former supervisor or manager.
• A team leader who directly reviewed your work.
• A lecturer, project supervisor or head of department, especially for graduate roles.
• A coordinator from an internship, volunteer placement or national service-related work experience.
• A professional client or business partner who has worked with you closely, where appropriate.
• A credible community, religious or organisational leader who knows your character, if the employer accepts personal references.

For a first job, you may not have extensive employment history. In that case, an academic supervisor, internship coordinator or person who oversaw a serious volunteer or project role may be suitable. Explain the relationship clearly instead of pretending that the person was your employer.

How many references should you prepare?

There is no universal number. Follow the employer’s instructions. If the application requests two referees, provide two. If it does not specify a number, having two or three suitable contacts prepared is usually practical.

Do not submit a long list simply to appear more experienced. A short list of relevant, available referees is easier for an employer to assess and easier for you to manage. Keep additional contacts available in case an employer requests another reference later.

Ask for permission before listing anyone

Never add a person’s name and contact details without first asking for permission. Your referee may receive a call or email unexpectedly, and they may not be willing or available to support your application.

Contact the person privately and explain:

• The job title and organisation, if known.
• Why you believe the role matches your background.
• Why you would like them to act as a referee.
• What skills, projects or responsibilities they may be asked about.
• The likely application or interview timeline.

Ask whether they are comfortable giving a positive and honest reference. This wording gives them an opportunity to decline if they cannot remember your work well or do not feel able to recommend you.

Sample request message

Good afternoon, Ma. I am applying for a digital communications assistant position and would like to ask if you would be willing to serve as one of my referees. You supervised my project work during my internship at [organisation]. The role requires writing, organisation and teamwork. May I include your name, position, email address and phone number on my application? I will send the job description and my CV for context. Thank you.

Adapt the message to your relationship. A personal call may be appropriate for someone you know well, but follow up with the details in writing so there is no confusion.

Give your referee useful information

After receiving permission, send your referee the documents and information they may need. This helps them provide an accurate reference rather than trying to remember details under pressure.

Useful information includes:

• Your updated CV.
• The job description or a short explanation of the role.
• The name of the hiring organisation and application deadline.
• A brief summary of your relevant duties, projects and achievements.
• The names of skills you want the employer to assess, such as communication, customer service, research, technical ability or reliability.
• Instructions for submitting the reference, if the employer has provided any.

Do not ask the referee to exaggerate, lie or copy a statement you have written for them to sign without review. The reference should remain truthful and reflect the referee’s actual knowledge of your work.

What details should appear on a reference list?

Unless the employer requests a different format, present each referee’s information clearly. Include:

• Full name.
• Current job title and organisation.
• Professional relationship to you.
• Phone number, preferably a number they actively monitor.
• Professional email address.
• Location, if relevant to the application.

A simple format could look like this:

Jane A. Okafor
Operations Manager, Example Services Ltd
Former supervisor
Phone: [referee’s approved phone number]
Email: [referee’s approved email address]

Only include information your referee has authorised you to share. If the employer asks for a referee’s home address, identification document or other sensitive information, confirm the requirement carefully and discuss it with the referee before sending anything.

Professional referees and personal referees

A professional referee can discuss your performance, responsibilities and workplace behaviour. This is usually the preferred type for experienced applicants.

A personal referee, sometimes called a character referee, focuses more on your integrity, dependability and conduct outside formal employment. Personal references may help students, recent graduates or applicants with limited work history, but they should not normally be your closest family members.

Read the instructions carefully. If an employer specifically requests professional references, a relative or close friend may not meet the requirement. If the employer accepts character references, choose someone respected who has known you for a meaningful period and can give concrete examples.

Common reference mistakes to avoid

• Listing an unprepared referee: The person may be surprised by the employer’s call and unable to remember your work.
• Using a relative without permission from the employer: Family members may be viewed as biased.
• Providing an inactive phone number: A referee who cannot be reached may delay your application.
• Using an informal email address: A professional address is usually more appropriate for employment verification.
• Submitting outdated information: Confirm the referee’s current title, organisation and contact details.
• Choosing someone only because they are senior: A senior person who does not know your work may give a vague reference.
• Sending the same reference list everywhere: Select referees who are relevant to each role.
• Ignoring privacy and safety: Do not publicly post other people’s private contact details online.

Protect yourself from reference-related scams

Jobseekers should be careful when an alleged recruiter requests unnecessary personal information from you or your referees. A genuine reference process should relate to a real application and identifiable organisation.

Do not share your bank PIN, password, one-time password, card details or other account credentials as part of a reference check. Be cautious if someone demands payment before they will contact a referee, promises guaranteed employment or asks you to send sensitive documents through an unverified account. Verify the employer through an official website or a trusted contact route before proceeding.

Reference preparation is one part of a wider job-search process. Clear application guidance is especially useful for Nigerian jobseekers managing CVs, online forms, recruitment messages and other digital opportunities, but no article or platform can guarantee that an employer will contact a referee or offer a job.

Final preparation before submitting your application

Before you submit, check that each referee has agreed, understands the role and has your current CV. Confirm that names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses are correct. Save the reference list as a professional document and follow the employer’s preferred submission method.

The strongest reference is not necessarily from the most powerful person you know. It comes from someone who knows your work, has agreed to speak about it and can provide specific, truthful evidence of how you perform. Choose carefully, prepare your referees early and protect everyone’s personal information throughout the process.