This special moment in the job search eventually comes and a splendid moment it is. You have been through a round of interviews and those magical words are finally spoken, “We’d like to check your references.”
The days of reference letters have pretty much gone the way of Pac Man. Potential employers want to be able to speak to an ex employer or colleague to hear their voice and to ask them questions.
Who can be your reference? The best choice is of course your last direct report, your manager or supervisor. You may also use a colleague or in some instances a client, as long as the reference is able to validate what you have written on your resume.
Some do’s and don’ts for giving your references:
- Don’t list your references directly on your resume.
- Prepare a separate sheet of paper for your references.
- Do list at least 3 business and 1 character references depending on the level of the position applied for. More senior positions may require up to 5 business references.
- On the left side of the page list the references’ name, job title (now or when you worked for them), name of company they work for, phone number and email address.
- On the right side of that listing insert the reference’s relationship to you such as “Manager for 5 years”.
- Divide the page into Business references and list three of them, then Character references and list one or two.
- Do not offer your references in an interview, wait until you are asked for them.
- Have your reference page typed up and take it with you on all job interviews.
- Immediately after giving out your references call each one and tell them about the interview you just had. Don’t wait to call until you get home as the employer may start calling as soon as you leave their office.
- Ensure you know your references are able to take calls or if they are away maybe email is a better way to connect with them.
- Tell your references about the position you interviewed for and the company and most importantly the accomplishments that were discussed that your reference can validate.
- Give your reference tips of what not to mention that is irrelevant or inappropriate and what to focus on. Educate each reference on what the hiring manager found interesting and relevant.
- Discuss with each reference how you want them to answer the ‘weakness’ question.
The reference checker is listening for the tone of voice your references use. They are listening for authenticity in their answers. The checker will ask questions in different ways to elicit responses that validate truisms. Even overseas references are telephoned these days, so feel free to provide references from any country with appropriate dialing instructions.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to coach your references on the interview you are being referenced for and as soon as you exit the interview.
Hopefully your references will have glowing comments and you will be days away from a new beginning.
Colleen Clarke
www.colleenclarke.com
Author of: Networking How To Build Relationships That Count
and How to Get a Job and Keep It
My current employer’s personnel manager has stated that it is company policy to not provide references, good or bad. The legal risks are too great. What does one do in that case?
References in the corporate world are becoming a lot more rare, because as the previous gentleman mentioned, a lot of companies won’t give a character reference anymore because of liability issues.
The last two companies I have worked for both had policies wherein they didn’t provide character references. The most they could do is confirm that the employee did indeed work for the company (big deal).
So I have been forced to use personal references, rather than business references. If the company won’t provide a reference, it kind of hamstrings you.
You neglected the most important part – ASK if the person will be able and willing to give a positive reference in support of your application. I can’t stand it when someone “tells”me that they used me as a reference, especially when there is no way they deserve a good reference. If I have not been asked, and I receive a call for a reference check, the first thing that I say is that I did not agree to give a reference.
Dan raises a good point – in which case a peer reference, or one from a teacher, preacher or other professional creature may do the trick.
What do you do if you don’t have any good references at all due to losing job because of conficts between you and management or because company closed up or you quit because of personal reasons? Don’t have a teacher, preacher or other professional person to use.
I myself never really made any friends with co-workers due to the nature of the business which involved lots of driving or a business of repairing things and not having steady clients. Im a loner don’t have any friends except past relationships. Not good for reference. I have lost many good potential jobs due to giving references of past employers who said something (unknown what) that caused the future employer to say “Sorry your reference was bad”. This has left me unemployed for over 2 years not knowing what to do. I have a lot of experience in my field (over 25 years with different companies) but no refences.
I think that the “references” are the most stupid and useless thing ever invented. Why, when, what kind of references. In reality almost 80-90% of the references are useless or a waste of time. The best reference is the actual work on site. The so-called references are just a fancy talk, nothing else.
I agree with Creative Guy. I also think that “references” are stupid and useless (in a way) Why not have the employee for hire work a shift so the hiring manager can see first hand how she/he works, how he/she interacts with the others. And what would the cost be? maybe one days pay – or the employer pays the “employee’s” transportation costs.
I’ve had many jobs in the past and most of them have moved on from where they were when I worked at the company and even then i found out they wouldn’t give a real refernce and just said that yes she worked there and confirmed dates. (i had asked them to be a reference and they said yes so when the employer (an agency) told me this i was a little surprised and she then asked for me to provide other references and i said i didn’t HAVE any so i never heard anythign from that dumb a$$ agency. The last employer I worked for – i wouldn’t use her if you paid me as she was a horrible manager. (issues with her) Job was good but my manager had anger issues.
my 2 cents