References and Portfolio: What to Attach to an Application

What should you actually attach to a job application?

The short answer: attach only what the employer asks for, and make everything else ready to send the moment they request it. Sending a cluttered application with unsolicited documents can work against you just as much as sending too little. The goal is a focused, professional package that makes the recruiter's job easy and puts your strongest work front and center.

Which references should you include — and when?

References are powerful, but timing matters. Most employers do not need them at the application stage. They ask for references later, usually after an initial interview, when they are seriously considering you. Unless the job posting explicitly says "include three professional references," leave them off your initial submission.

When the time does come to share references, follow these principles:

Choose people who have seen your work directly. A former manager, a supervisor from a volunteer project, a professor who oversaw your thesis, or a senior colleague who collaborated with you on a significant project — these carry more weight than character witnesses who cannot speak to your professional skills.

Always ask before you list someone. Contact each reference in advance, remind them of the work you did together, and let them know what kind of role you are applying for. A reference who is surprised by a call will give a weaker endorsement than one who is prepared.

Format your reference sheet cleanly. Use the same header as your CV (your name and contact details). For each reference, include their full name, job title, organization, phone number, email address, and a one-line note on your relationship with them. Keep it to one page.

Aim for two to four references. Quality matters far more than quantity.

What belongs in a portfolio — and what should stay out?

A portfolio is a curated selection of your best work. The keyword is curated. Do not send everything you have ever done. Send the pieces that are most relevant to the role you are applying for.

For creative and technical roles — designers, developers, writers, photographers, architects — a portfolio is often expected. Choose three to six pieces that demonstrate range and skill. Include a brief caption for each: what the project was, what your role was, and what the outcome looked like.

For non-creative roles, a portfolio can still set you apart. Project managers can include an anonymized project summary. Accountants can share a sanitized financial model. Administrators can present a process they designed or improved. Think of it as a "work samples" document rather than a traditional portfolio.

What to leave out: Anything confidential. Before including any document from a previous employer, remove client names, financial figures, proprietary data, and internal identifiers. When in doubt, describe the work in general terms rather than sharing the original file.

Format your portfolio as a single PDF when possible. A link to a clean, professional online portfolio (your own website or a platform like Behance or GitHub, depending on your field) is often cleaner than multiple file attachments.

How do you match your attachments to the job posting?

Read the posting carefully. Some employers list exactly what they want — "CV, cover letter, and two work samples." Follow those instructions precisely. If the posting is silent on attachments, the standard package is your CV and a tailored cover letter. Everything else waits.

Before you submit, use the CV Analyzer to check how well your CV aligns with the specific job description. It will flag missing keywords, weak sections, and formatting issues so you can fix them before the employer ever opens your file. A strong CV is always your anchor document — references and portfolio pieces support it, they do not replace it.

How should you prepare for what comes next?

Once your application is in, do not wait passively. Use the Interview Prep tool to start practicing for the conversation that follows. Knowing your references are ready, your portfolio is polished, and your interview answers are rehearsed means you can move quickly when an employer calls.

You can also browse open roles on BonJanJob to find positions where your existing portfolio and reference network are already a strong match — sometimes the best application is the one you send to the right job, not just any job.

Attachments are the final layer of a strong application. Keep them relevant, keep them clean, and keep them ready.