Who can verify the work you described?
Choose a referee who directly observed the work and can respond on time.
The question
You apply for a fictional entry-level Australian Public Service records role. The instructions ask for one referee by Friday who can explain how you checked records and reported errors. You have no current paid supervisor.
- Volunteer coordinatorObserved you reconcile exhibit records and approved your correction list.
- LecturerObserved a separate class project where you checked catalogue entries and logged mismatches.
- Family friendKnows you well but did not observe either project.
“Whom do you nominate, and what can they confirm from direct observation?”
Not saved by this site. Your browser may restore text when you navigate back.
A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Who can verify the exhibit example?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Choose the volunteer coordinator for the exhibit example
The strong move. They saw the work that supports this claim.
Ask the lecturer to verify the exhibit work
Tempting, but it misses something. They observed a different project.
Nominate the family friend
Tempting, but it misses something. They did not see either example.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The volunteer coordinator saw me reconcile the exhibit records and approved the corrections. The lecturer can verify a different example.”
Why it works: The person who observed the work can confirm which actions you took.
Step 2: What should you confirm with a referee?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Confirm their willingness, availability and contact details
The strong move. These details help the panel reach the right person.
Write the reference for them to repeat
Tempting, but it misses something. A referee should provide their own account.
List the contact without telling them
Tempting, but it misses something. You would not know if they can respond or when.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’ll ask whether they can speak about the work, check their contact details and share the role description and the work they saw.”
Why it works: This prepares the referee to respond from direct knowledge.
Step 3: What if your first referee is unavailable?
The volunteer coordinator replies that they are away through Friday. The lecturer confirms they can respond by Friday and agrees to be considered.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Ask whether the lecturer can verify the class example
The strong move. The alternative has direct evidence and is available by Friday.
List the lecturer as witness to the exhibit work
Tempting, but it misses something. The lecturer did not see that work.
Give the coordinator as if they can reply by Friday
Tempting, but it misses something. Their message says they are unavailable through the deadline.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’ll ask the contact officer if I can nominate the lecturer for the class project. I’ll explain which work they saw and why the coordinator is unavailable.”
Why it works: The lecturer can verify a relevant example within the time available. The recruiter can confirm whether the alternative meets the vacancy’s instructions.
Step 4: What would you tell the contact officer?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Explain the unavailable referee and ask to use the lecturer
The strong move. It gives the contact officer enough information to confirm the alternative.
Say the lecturer has already been approved
Tempting, but it misses something. The contact officer has yet to accept the alternative.
Send names without saying which work each saw
Tempting, but it misses something. The recruiter needs to know what the alternative can verify.
See how a strong candidate says it
“My volunteer coordinator is unavailable until after Friday. My lecturer saw me check catalogue entries and record mismatches in a class project. May I list the lecturer for this round?”
Why it works: The message explains the timing and the actual work the proposed referee can confirm.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Ask the contact officer to accept the lecturer for the class example.
- Because
- The lecturer observed relevant work and can respond by Friday. The coordinator can speak about the exhibit work after the deadline.
- What would change it
- If the recruiter requires a different reference, follow their instructions and explain who observed each example.
Common traps
- Choosing a referee by job title alone.
- Asking someone to confirm work they did not observe.
Check your answer
- What work needs a witness?
- What did each referee see?
- Who can respond by Friday?
- What alternative must the recruiter confirm?
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026