References
What it really means
Statements from previous employers confirming you worked there and, sometimes, what you were like. UK job offers are often conditional on satisfactory references. Many former employers only confirm dates and job title.
Context, tips & common mistakes
Most UK employers now give 'factual' references — dates, job title, sometimes attendance — because anything more creates legal risk; so a short reference is normal and not a coded warning. What an employer must not do is give a misleading or inaccurate reference, and you can challenge one that costs you a job. Choose referees who have actually agreed in advance, warn them when to expect contact, and give recruiters a work email rather than a personal one where possible.
References are normally taken up after an offer, so a live job search stays confidential from your current employer until you allow contact — say clearly in applications if your current employer should not be approached yet. For a first UK job, academic referees, placement supervisors or volunteering coordinators are all acceptable; agencies may also accept character references. Keep referee details current — an unreachable referee delays start dates more often than a lukewarm one.