Surveys and experts claim that a good reference on your CV can make a substantial difference to your chances of landing a job. But what exactly is a reference's role on your resume? Monster explains.

Hiring managers say that their decision to hire or reject has a lot to do with how it goes when they have spoken to a person's references. One thing is clear: a resume reference can make or break a career.

Here are three things managers who follow up on a potential employee's references talk about, and base their impressions of you on.

1. Description of past job duties and experience

A whooping 36 percent of managers say this is what they get out of yoir references. After all, you are what you have accomplished in your past. If your ex-boss is raving about that project you handled or your team leader and colleague cannot stop talking about your profesionalism and hard work, it gives recruting managers the assurance they need that hiring you will not be a risk too big for them.

2. Information about the applicant'sstrengths and weaknesses

Closely following the details of your past are your pros and cons. 31 percent managers rely on your resume references to give them this information. Are you fickle? Do you freak out over responsibility? Do you bail? Or are you proactive and have a take charge attitude? No one can tell potential employers about this better than past ones.

3. Confirmation and cross checking of information

11 percent of hiring managers rely on your references for the double checking of the information you have given them, like employment dates and gaps, and job titles and responsbilites. After all, you are just another one in many, many candidates out there and your word needs to be confirmed before they can accept it.