Discuss the specific actions on your part that will ensure that your references are treated with common courtesy and that references are prepared for the employer's call.

Answers will vary. Specific actions on your part will ensure that your references are treated with common courtesy and that references are prepared for the employer's call.
a. Remind the reference that he or she had previously agreed to supply information about you. Identify the job for which you are applying, give a complete address to which the message is to be sent, and indicate a date by which the prospective employer needs the message. By sharing information about job requirements and reporting recent job-related experiences, you can assist the reference in writing an effective message. Indicate your gratitude, but do not apologize for making the request. The reference has already agreed to write on your behalf and will likely take pleasure in assisting a deserving person.
b. Alert the reference of imminent requests for information, especially if considerable time has elapsed since the applicant and reference have last seen each other. Enclosing a recent résumé and providing any other pertinent information (e.g., name change) will enable the reference to write a message that is specific and convincing. To ensure on-target job references, politely explain the types of information you perceive relevant to the job sought: specific job skills, work ethic, attitude and demeanor toward work, leadership style, and so on. If the job search becomes longer than anticipated, a follow-up message to references explaining the delay and expressing gratitude for their efforts is appropriate.
c. Send a sincere, original thank-you message after a position has been accepted. This thoughtful gesture will build a positive relationship with a person who might continue to be important to your career.