Landing a remote job is exciting—but even after acing your interview, one final hurdle often remains: references. In a world where teams are distributed and managers rarely see you face-to-face, strong references can make or break your candidacy.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to secure references that shine for remote roles—in a way that feels natural, respectful, and honest.
Why References Still Matter—Especially for Remote Work
You might wonder: “Do references really matter anymore in a remote context?” The short answer: yes. They still play an essential role, because:
- They validate your claims (projects, leadership, reliability).
- For remote roles, employers especially value someone who can speak to their autonomy, communication, and follow-through.
- A lukewarm reference can sink you—even if you were great in interviews.
- Many companies use reference checks as a final step before making an offer.
In short: your references are your “proof in the pudding.”
Unique Challenges for Remote References
Working remotely changes how people perceive performance. That means getting useful references has extra difficulties:
| Challenge | Why It Arises | Risk to Your Application |
|---|---|---|
| No single supervisor | You may report to project leads, contract managers, or rotate | Harder to find someone who “owns” your work |
| Weak personal connection | Remote interactions often happen via chat, email, and video | References may struggle to speak about your character |
| Geographic or time zone gaps | Some contacts may be far away or hard to reach | Delays in response or missed opportunities |
| Invisible soft skills | Traits like initiative, collaboration, and dependability are less visible remotely. | References may lack real examples to share |
Because of these, you need to be more deliberate in your choice, preparation, and presentation of references.
Picking the Right People to Serve as References
Not every contact makes a good reference—especially for remote roles. Here’s how to pick wisely.
Strong reference types
- Remote managers or supervisors
They’ve worked with you across distance and can speak to your remote discipline. - Project leads or cross-team collaborators
They’ve seen your coordination, communication, and deliverables with distributed teammates. - Peers or teammates (if they worked with you on remote projects)
They can attest to how you worked day to day. - Clients, vendors, external collaborators
If your remote work involved external stakeholders, a client’s perspective is powerful. - Mentors, instructors, workshop leaders
Especially useful if you lack much work history—but make sure they know your work style.
Weaker reference options (unless no better choice)
- Family or close friends (unless they supervised real work)
- Contacts who haven’t seen your recent work
- People who aren’t dependable or responsive
- Anyone who might speak neutrally or lukewarmly
The best references are those who are familiar with your remote working habits (meeting deadlines, communicating asynchronously, working independently) and can give specific examples.
Cultivate References Before You Need Them
One of the biggest mistakes job-seekers make is waiting until they need references. Instead:
- Keep in touch
Message former colleagues, share interesting articles, and congratulate them on milestones. - Offer value
If you see something valuable to them—an article, job, connection—send it. - Collaborate on small projects
If possible, co-work remotely (e.g., side commissions, volunteering). - Give public recognition
Endorse or recommend them (e.g., on LinkedIn). That often prompts reciprocity.
Doing this means asking for a reference later feels like a natural favor—not an imposition.
When & How to Ask for a Reference
Asking matters almost as much as who you ask.
Best timing
- Ask early—don’t wait until the hiring manager demands references.
- Once you begin applying, notify potential references that you might reach out.
- When a company signals they need references, confirm their availability.
Approach (mode & tone)
- Video call or in-person (if possible) — most personal
- Email — polite, formal, allows time
- LinkedIn message — fine if it’s how you normally communicate
- Chat (WhatsApp, Slack) — only if you already have a close informal rapport
Crucial tip: Ask explicitly. Please don’t assume they’ll agree. Use language like:
“Would you feel comfortable serving as a reference for me in remote roles?”
Indeed offers a helpful guide and email templates for requesting references, which you can adapt as you need.
Also, Remote’s own advice recommends sending your prospective reference helpful context, like your resume and the job description, so that they can frame their feedback well.
What to Send After They Agree
To make their job easier, send:
- Your updated resume / CV
- A link to the job description
- A list of 2–3 strengths or achievements you’d like emphasized
- Context: when they might be contacted (dates, medium)
- A brief reminder of your working relationship
Providing this extra detail ensures their reference is sharp, relevant, and credible.
Reference Sheet: The Format You Should Use
You generally don’t include references on your resume. Instead, prepare a separate reference sheet to submit when asked. Indeed offers a good reference page example worth checking.
Here’s a polished reference sheet layout you can adapt:
| # | Name | Title & Company | Contact (Email / Phone) | Relationship / Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jane Doe | Project Manager, Acme Inc. | jane.doe@acme.com / +123-456-789 | Managed two remote projects with me |
| 2 | John Smith | Team Lead, WidgetCorp | jsmith@widget.com / +123-987-654 | Collaborated on cross-team sprints |
| 3 | Mary Lee | Instructor, Remote Academy | mary.lee@academy.com / +123-765-432 | Mentored me through remote training |
Tips:
- Use 3 to 5 references unless the employer requests more (UC Davis offers guidelines with a sample format).
- Format fonts and spacing to match your resume and cover letter.
- Place the strongest references at the top.
- Only send when asked (to avoid overexposing your contacts).
What Reference Checks Typically Ask (And How to Prep)
Knowing the questions referees often hear helps you prep them—and choose the right people.
Common questions include:
- Can you confirm the candidate’s title, dates, and responsibilities?
- In what capacity do you know them?
- What are their key strengths and weaknesses?
- How did they communicate or manage deadlines?
- Would you rehire or work with them again?
- Can you share a specific example of good performance?
A smart move: share that list with your references (or at least the relevant points) so they’re not blindsided.
One blog suggests asking your references similar questions to ensure they are aligned and consistent.
If You’re a Fresh Grad or Switching Careers (And Don’t Yet Have References)
No work references? No problem. Use these strategies:
- Ask professors, academic advisors, and lab leads who know your studious side.
- Use mentors, coaches, or course instructors from online classes.
- Refer to volunteer project leads, club heads, or non-profit contacts.
- Offer to do a small trial or sample project under someone’s supervision and ask them to serve as a temporary reference.
- Be honest: “I don’t have full remote work experience, but here’s how I’ve demonstrated relevant traits….”
Indeed’s advice for those without traditional references is to think broadly and explain your choice, so the employer understands.
Step-by-Step Blueprint (From Start to Finish)
Here’s a simple workflow to follow:
- Make a list of potential references — past colleagues, remote collaborators, mentors
- Evaluate them for relevance to remote work
- Reestablish connection: send a friendly message or share an update
- Politely ask: use a thoughtful request (template below)
- After their agreement, send your materials (resume, job, bullet points)
- Create your reference sheet
- Provide references only when requested
- Notify your references in advance when they might be contacted
- Send a thank-you & update them
- Maintain the relationship—don’t let it go cold
Sample Email Template You Can Use or Adapt
Here’s a friendly, clear template to ask someone to be your reference:
Subject: Reference Request – [Your Name]
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I’m applying for a remote [Job Title] role at [Company], and I’d be honored if you’d be willing to serve as a reference. Given our work together on [project/context], I believe you can speak to my ability to collaborate, communicate, and deliver in a distributed setup.
If you agree, I can send over my resume, the role’s description, and a few bullet points you might highlight—though you’re free to express your own take.
If now isn’t a good time, no worries at all. I totally understand.
Thanks so much for considering. I really appreciate it.
Best,
[Your Name]
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good references, you can trip yourself up by making these blunders:
- Listing someone without asking—can catch them off guard
- Using vague or generic references
- Overwhelming your references with too many requests
- Letting contact info become outdated
- Forgetting to thank or update them
- Choosing someone unlikely to give a strong endorsement
- Asking late—when hiring is already underway
Final Thoughts
In the remote job world, references aren’t relics—they’re a powerful bridge between what your resume says and what your future employer believes. The more preparation, respect, and clarity you bring to curating your references, the more confident and credible your application becomes.