{
 "schema": "aiblocks-page/1",
 "id": "job-reference-list-builder",
 "type": "skill",
 "name": "Job reference list builder",
 "summary": "Build a job reference list: pick the right referees, check permission, and get request and briefing drafts for each person. Missing details are marked.",
 "headline": "Job reference list builder",
 "subhead": "Share the role and people who can speak about your work. It helps choose relevant references and formats their details. You get a reference list, permission-request drafts and short briefings about the role for each person to review.",
 "job": {
  "id": "find-a-job",
  "name": "Prepare job applications"
 },
 "level": "beginner",
 "thinking": "medium",
 "tested": true,
 "updated": "2026-10-28",
 "first_published": "2026-10-25",
 "inputs": [
  {
   "type": "job_description",
   "required": true,
   "label": "Job description",
   "what": "a job or role in writing: title, team, duties, level and what good work looks like, as a job post or plain notes"
  },
  {
   "type": "document",
   "required": true,
   "label": "Document",
   "what": "a finished document, such as a Word file, a PDF or a page of notes"
  }
 ],
 "outputs": [
  {
   "type": "document",
   "required": true,
   "label": "Document",
   "what": "a finished document, such as a Word file, a PDF or a page of notes"
  },
  {
   "type": "plan",
   "required": true,
   "label": "Plan",
   "what": "a dated plan: what to do, in what order, with a decision rule for each step"
  }
 ],
 "you_give": [
  "The target role and possible professional references.",
  "Known contact details, working relationships and permission status."
 ],
 "you_get": [
  "A formatted reference list with missing details marked.",
  "Draft permission requests and reference briefings.",
  "A checklist for sharing and follow-up."
 ],
 "use_when": [],
 "skip_when": [
  "You need to share references now, before anyone asks. Wait for the final round, and send the list only when the employer requests it.",
  "Your referee has left, said no or may give a lukewarm review. Pick someone else who saw your work, such as a senior colleague or client.",
  "You need a CV or cover letter. Write those first, then come back here to build the list.",
  "The employer has already asked for references. Send the list only after you have each person's agreement."
 ],
 "output_sample": {
  "input": [
   "The role you are applying for, and the company",
   "Names of people who could speak for your work",
   "Their job titles, contact details and how you worked together",
   "Whether each person has agreed to be a reference (optional)"
  ],
  "output": [
   {
    "name": "Reference Strategy",
    "contains": "The target role and company, so every choice of referee ties back to the job."
   },
   {
    "name": "Recommended References",
    "contains": "Primary referees with title, company, contact, relationship, why they fit and what to highlight."
   },
   {
    "name": "Backup References",
    "contains": "Extra referees in the same format, in case a main referee drops out."
   },
   {
    "name": "Briefing Notes",
    "contains": "A checklist of what to send each referee and the key points each should mention."
   },
   {
    "name": "Permission Request Script",
    "contains": "A short message asking each person if they will speak for you, tailored to the role."
   },
   {
    "name": "Briefing Email",
    "contains": "A draft email giving each referee the role, your key points and the work they may be asked about."
   },
   {
    "name": "Thank You Template",
    "contains": "A short note to send your referees after the check, whatever the result."
   }
  ]
 },
 "how_to_use": [
  "Open Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini and paste in the skill text from this page.",
  "Tell your AI the role and company. Then list each person who could be a reference.",
  "Add their titles, contact details and how you worked together. Say who has already agreed.",
  "Answer any questions it asks. It will mark missing details instead of guessing.",
  "Check the list and drafts. Ask people before you send anything, then send the list only when the employer asks for it.",
  "After the check, send your thank-you notes and tell each referee the result. Pair the list with your CV and cover letter, and update your job-search tracker."
 ],
 "checks": [],
 "next": [],
 "source": {
  "by": "Daniel (San) Ávila",
  "repo": "davila7/claude-code-templates",
  "url": "https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/7d85535533914ff0880945570a94fcbec4adc042/cli-tool/components/skills/career/reference-list-builder",
  "licence": "MIT",
  "original_name": "reference-list-builder",
  "commit": "7d85535533914ff0880945570a94fcbec4adc042"
 },
 "credits": [
  {
   "title": "reference-list-builder skill",
   "by": "Daniel (San) Ávila",
   "url": "https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/7d85535533914ff0880945570a94fcbec4adc042/cli-tool/components/skills/career/reference-list-builder",
   "used": "Copied under the MIT licence. We gave it a plain name. We added Before you start and After this sections that link to other AI Blocks steps."
  }
 ],
 "files": [
  "LICENSE"
 ],
 "links": {
  "page": "https://useaiblocks.com/skills/job-reference-list-builder",
  "markdown": "https://useaiblocks.com/skills/job-reference-list-builder.md",
  "json": "https://useaiblocks.com/skills/job-reference-list-builder.json",
  "instructions": "https://useaiblocks.com/skills/job-reference-list-builder/SKILL.md",
  "download": "https://useaiblocks.com/skills/job-reference-list-builder.zip",
  "api_item": "https://useaiblocks.com/api/v1/items/job-reference-list-builder",
  "api_document": "https://useaiblocks.com/api/v1/documents/skill/job-reference-list-builder",
  "mcp": "https://useaiblocks.com/mcp"
 }
}