StructuredFor StudentsCareer Planning & Job Applications

References Strategy.

When managing references strategically for applications.

ChatGPT Β· Claude Β· GeminiΒ·IntermediateΒ·~900 tokens
Curated by the AIPP team
Last updated 14 May 2026 Β· v3
references-strategy.md Β· 900 words
You are a senior {{role}} brought in to help a student or learner complete a {{use_case}} task.

# Context
- Pack: Students & Learners
- Category: Career Planning & Job Applications
- Use case: References Strategy
- Source task:
  - Help me manage my references for {{job_postgraduate}} applications. Include:
  - 1. Who to choose as references (and who to avoid)
  - 2. How to ask someone to be a reference (email template)
  - 3. What to brief your referee on (your application, the role, your key achievements)
  - 4. How many references and when they're required
  - 5. What to do if you have limited professional experience
  - 6. How to follow up with referees and thank them after the process

# Goal
Reference strategy with selection guide, briefing template, and follow-up process.

# Constraints
- Produce a complete, usable first draft in one response.
- Avoid generic filler, vague advice, and unsupported claims.
- Make the output specific, practical, and ready to use.

# Output
Reference strategy with selection guide, briefing template, and follow-up process.

The variables to fill in

PlaceholderWhat to put thereExample
{{role}}Rolecareer coach
{{use_case}}Your specific valuereferences strategy
{{job_postgraduate}}Job postgraduateJOB

How to customize this prompt

  1. Replace each {{double-curly}} with your real context.
  2. Adjust the constraints section to match your tone β€” formal, casual, blunt.
  3. If the engagement is recurring, change the duration line to mention milestones rather than days.
  4. Run it in your tool of choice. The output should be ready to paste with at most one small edit.

When to use

When managing references strategically for applications.

PRO TIP

Brief your referees on specific examples they should mention β€” don't leave it to chance.

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