Page 1 of 1

Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:18 am
by Anonymous User
I work for a judge this summer (rising 2L). The majority of my interaction is not with the judge however; it is with her lead research attorney.

I want to ask for a reference today. Should I ask th attorney or the judge? Thanks.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:26 pm
by Anonymous User
Why not both

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:27 pm
by CanadianWolf
Both.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:30 pm
by Anonymous User
Do I need to bring in references or a recommendation letter to an OCI interview?

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:33 pm
by rinkrat19
Anonymous User wrote:Do I need to bring in references or a recommendation letter to an OCI interview?
I've never heard of needing a LOR. But a few OCI interviewers might want you to either submit a list of references ahead of time or bring them with you to the interview. (It's relatively uncommon compared to them wanting your transcripts, cover letter, resume, and writing sample, though.)

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:34 pm
by CanadianWolf
You need references. I think that it would be unusual to bring a letter of recommendation with you.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:39 pm
by Anonymous User
How do you present references then? On a sheet of paper? Do you just let your boss know that you will be using him as a reference?

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:41 pm
by CanadianWolf
Always ask if you can use one as a reference. The best references come from one who has been your direct supervisor & is familiar with your work. Many add "references available upon request" on their resume.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:42 pm
by rinkrat19
Anonymous User wrote:How do you present references then? On a sheet of paper? Do you just let your boss know that you will be using him as a reference?
You ask your boss, "would it be all right if I included you on my list of references? May I use your work email and phone number?"
Then you make up a page of 3-4 references in a format that aesthetically matches your resume formatting. You have that as a PDF and as a piece of paper. Then you provide it however the employer tells you to. (Uploaded to simplicity, emailed to someone, printed out and brought to the interview, etc.)

Do not put "references upon request" on your resume. It's a waste of space and there is already an implied offer of references upon request just by applying. If they want references, they'll ask for them, whether you include that on your resume or not.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:44 pm
by Anonymous User
great answers. thank you.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:46 pm
by CanadianWolf
Since you've received conflicting suggestions, it might be worthwhile to contact your law school career services office to get their suggestion. "References available upon request" is not a waste of resume space.

P.S. But to be fair, it has been decades since I sought an entry level position.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:00 pm
by RaceJudicata
CanadianWolf wrote:Since you've received conflicting suggestions, it might be worthwhile to contact your law school career services office to get their suggestion. "References available upon request" is not a waste of resume space.

P.S. But to be fair, it has been decades since I sought an entry level position.

Personally, "references available" seems like a total waste... If an employer wants a reference, they will ask, and the potential employee will certainly provide it. No one is looking at resume and saying: "woah! this guy/gal has references available, lets hire him or her over these other people who didn't mention it, they must be unable to provide any quality references."

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:03 pm
by rinkrat19
RaceJudicata wrote:
CanadianWolf wrote:Since you've received conflicting suggestions, it might be worthwhile to contact your law school career services office to get their suggestion. "References available upon request" is not a waste of resume space.

P.S. But to be fair, it has been decades since I sought an entry level position.

Personally, "references available" seems like a total waste... If an employer wants a reference, they will ask, and the potential employee will certainly provide it. No one is looking at resume and saying: "woah! this guy/gal has references available, lets hire him or her over these other people who didn't mention it, they must be unable to provide any quality references."
It has definitely gone the way of the dodo, along with an Objective statement, on resumes.

Re: Who to get reference from?

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 7:00 pm
by CanadianWolf
OP: Again, it wouldn't hurt to ask your law school career services office what is the norm in your area.