A short-term job can give you useful CV evidence and a potential referee, even if it is your first or only job. Keep a record of what you did and learned while the details are fresh, then ask a supervisor who knows your work whether they are willing to provide a reference. Use specific, truthful examples that fit the next role, and share a referee’s contact details only with their permission.
What to keep track of while you work
Make brief notes after a shift, project, or milestone. A simple record helps you remember concrete examples when you update your CV or ask someone to speak about your work.
- Employer, job title, and start and end dates.
- Main tasks and responsibilities, including who you worked with or served.
- Skills you used, such as organising, customer service, teamwork, or handling equipment.
- Projects, problems you helped solve, and feedback you received.
- Outcomes you can describe accurately. Include a number only if you can substantiate it and it genuinely helps explain the work.
Keep records appropriate to your workplace. Do not copy customer information, confidential documents, or sensitive employer data; retain work samples or feedback only when workplace rules allow it.
How to turn a short-term job into useful CV evidence
Start with the employer, job title, and dates, then choose a few duties or examples that match the role you want next. The UK National Careers Service advises tailoring a CV and including the employer, job title, dates, and a short description of the work. It defines a CV as “a summary of your skills, achievements and experience that you use to apply for jobs.”
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Emphasise relevant work, not every task
Read the next job’s requirements and select evidence that demonstrates those skills. A routine duty can still be useful when described clearly: explain what you were responsible for, what skill it involved, and what happened. Do not inflate your contribution or make a temporary assignment sound permanent.
Use examples when you have little work history
Paid jobs are not the only relevant evidence. If your work history is short, include suitable placements, volunteering, school or personal projects, work experience, and interests that demonstrate skills relevant to the role. The National Careers Service recommends these kinds of examples for applicants seeking a first job.
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How to ask someone to be a referee
Ask before the job ends, while you and your supervisor can readily discuss the work. A supervisor or team leader who directly observed your contribution is often a practical choice. Depending on the role and what the employer requests, a teacher, coach, mentor, work-experience supervisor, or volunteer supervisor may also be able to comment on relevant skills.
- Thank the person for their support and ask directly whether they would be comfortable acting as a referee for future applications.
- Make it easy for them to decline without pressure.
- If they agree, confirm their preferred name, title, and contact details, and ask permission before sharing those details.
- Before a likely reference check, tell them what roles you are pursuing and send your current CV or a short reminder of the work you did together.
Agreement is not automatic: choose someone who is willing and can accurately describe your work. The University of Victoria Career Services advises applicants to update references and give them context about the positions being pursued.
How to provide references on an application
Follow the employer’s instructions first; reference conventions vary by country and employer. For example, the UK National Careers Service says applicants may write “references are available on request” and cautions against putting another person’s contact details on a CV. The University of Victoria Career Services describes listing references with permission. These are examples of different regional practices, not a universal rule.
If no format is specified, use the convention expected where you are applying and protect the referee’s privacy. Never include someone’s contact information without their consent. If the application asks for referee details, provide the agreed details in the requested format.
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What if no supervisor is available?
Consider another person who has directly seen relevant work: a teacher, coach, mentor, work-experience supervisor, or volunteer coordinator. Ask whether they are willing and confirm that the target employer accepts that kind of referee. If an application requires a workplace referee and you do not have one, follow its instructions or ask the employer what alternatives it accepts rather than assuming a personal reference will qualify.
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