[TheNewGirl]

I usually call my most recent references and give them the heads up, it's a good time to touch base with them and be warm and remind them of all the qualities I want them to tell my prospective employer about.

^ +1 too. I have often used peers as references and depending on what position you're applying for, I've also used people who worked for me before. This is very useful when applying for management jobs when they want to know what sort of manager/supervisor you'll be and not often something people do.