Lensa

In a competitive job market, every part of your application matters. Including your references.

The strongest references do more than confirm where you've worked. They can provide insight into how you solve problems, collaborate with others, and contribute to a team.

Taking a few minutes to prepare your references before you apply can help them give more relevant and meaningful feedback when employers reach out.

Swipe through for five simple ways to make your references count.

Which quality do you think makes someone a great professional reference?

Start building your career on Lensa: 👉 Link in bio.

“How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”

- Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia

We're taught to focus on the most visible markers of success: our salary, title, office, or what company we can list on our resume. But it's the small steps on the way to those things that actually give your career shape and fulfillment.

The care you bring to a small project can lead to work you never expected. The way you treat someone may matter years later, when your paths cross again. Skills deepen slowly, relationships build over time, and effort has a way of compounding when you keep showing up with your full attention.

The stages between the start of your career and its peak are the most meaningful ones. They're where you learn what you’re made of, who you want to collaborate with, and who you want to be along the way.

Pay attention to the climb - or as we say at Lensa, MAKE YOUR MOVE (and have fun along the way).

Is a college degree the only path to success? 🎓

It doesn't have to be.

A degree can open doors, but in 2026, it’s far from the only thing that matters. As AI changes the world of work, employers are paying closer attention to skills, adaptability, certifications, hands-on experience, and proof that you can actually do the job.

That means there’s more than one way to build a strong career.

Whether you learned in a classroom, on the job, online, or by teaching yourself, growth still counts. What matters is staying curious, building relevant skills, and being ready for what’s next.

What do you think: Is a degree still essential, or are skills becoming the bigger differentiator?

Ready to explore new opportunities? Find your next role on Lensa.