Here's how most people handle references: at the end of an interview process, when asked, they scramble to contact two or three former managers they haven't spoken to in months (or years), and ask "Would you be a reference for me?" The manager says yes, gets a call they weren't expecting, gives a generic positive review, and that's that.

This is like bringing a knife to a gunfight and leaving the knife in the car.

Curate your references before you need them. Right now — today — identify the five people in your professional life who have seen you at your best under pressure. Not just people who like you. People who can tell a specific story about a time you solved a hard problem, led through ambiguity, or delivered something that seemed impossible. Call them. Not to ask for a reference. To reconnect.

Brief them. When you are in an interview process, don't just ask "Can you be a reference?" Instead: "I'm interviewing for a Head of Payments role at [Company]. They're particularly interested in my experience with cross-border settlement. Could you speak to the project we did together on [specific project]? The key things they'll want to hear about are [X, Y, Z]."

You're not putting words in their mouth. You're helping them be effective on your behalf. They'll thank you for it — nobody wants to get a surprise call and fumble through vague platitudes.

The preemptive reference. This is the advanced move. Before a final interview, say to the hiring manager: "I'd love for you to speak with [Name], who was my [Role] at [Company]. They can speak specifically to my work on [relevant project]." Offering references proactively, before being asked, signals supreme confidence. It also lets you control the narrative by choosing who they talk to and what gets discussed.

The back-channel reference. Here's something candidates often don't realise: in fintech, back-channel references happen constantly. Before a final decision, a hiring manager or board member will quietly ask around their network. "Do you know this person? What are they like?" You can't control this, but you can influence it by maintaining strong relationships across the industry. Every professional interaction you have is a potential future reference — act accordingly.

Maintain the relationship. After someone gives you a reference, close the loop. Tell them the outcome. Thank them properly. Send a note when you start the new role. These are the relationships that compound over a career, and they're worth more than any certification or credential.