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Choose and Use the Best
Job References Possible
Chances are if you're like most job-seekers, you may not have put much thought into who you will want to use as references until a potential employer request them. We're often so busy reworking and polishing our resumes and cover letters, researching the companies, and preparing for interviews, that we mistakenly neglect a vital ingredient of the job search process -- asking and preparing people to be references.
The good news is that employers only ask for references when they're serious about hiring you. That's why it's important to have a list of employment references ready to send to a recruiter, hiring manager, or the employer's human resources department.
Picking a good employment reference goes beyond developing selection criteria. You've got to make sure your reference knows they are being used as a reference and they are prepared to answer any questions they might be asked by a potential employer.
Click here to view a sample list of questions often asked by potential employer of references.
Not every company does extensive background checks on potential employees. In some cases, they might call one or two of your references but not spend a whole lot of time on it.
In other cases, they might verify all your references and even look at your police record. You don't know what a potential employer might do with your list of references, so assume that they will each be checked.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind about your references list:
- Never include your references on your resume; wait for them to ask for it.
- Have your references printed up with the same look and feel as your resume - It just looks more professional.
- A potential employer wants to contact people on your references list, so make sure that you have good contact information for each of them. Today, that means at the very least either a phone number or an e-mail address, though complete contact information makes a better impression.
- Some people want work references. Some people want character references. Some people want both. Make sure you have several of both on hand.
Click here to see "Selection and Preparation of References""
Getting your references on board
It's common knowledge that it's pretty rude to include someone on a references list without asking. This is true, but permission isn't the only thing you need to keep your referential ducks in a row:
- Let your references know when you're actively job hunting so a call from a potential employer won't come as a surprise.
- This is especially important in an age of caller ID, when many people won't pick up the phone if they don't recognize the number.
- Give your references a copy of your current resume. It can serve as a reminder of your accomplishments and can keep them from accidentally contradicting something you've written there.
After you've landed your dream job, or at least your next job, let your references know about it and thank them for supporting and helping you. Keep in touch with them, i.e., Holiday cards, etc. You never know when you may need them again.
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