References when my manager was laid off too - what worked for you?

I worry a reference will only confirm dates of employment. I do not usually post, so bear with me. A colleague offered to vouch for me. Is a client acceptable?

I kept a note of my results so my references could be specific. They appreciated it.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.