How to Make Sure Your References are on Point
Posted October 14th, 2013
Let’s say you’ve interviewed for a position and you hear the words you long to hear: “I’d like to talk to your references. Can you give me a list?”
So you hand the hiring manager your list of those former bosses and colleagues that you’ve decided to use as references, feeling confident that you’ll receive glowing reviews.
But wait. Are you sure about that? How can you be certain your references will advance your candidacy and not shoot it full of holes?
Read below for some tips to make sure your references won’t scuttle your job search.
- First, make sure they’re going to give you a good reference. Don’t just ask someone if he or she will give you a reference and leave it at that. The person may very well be happy to give a reference: A bad one. Instead, ask if the person would be willing to give you a good or even great reference. If not, don’t add this person to your list of references.
- Don’t place anyone on your reference list with whom you don’t talk to first. Second to having someone on your list who will give you a poor reference is having a hiring manager call a reference and then hear: “Who has placed me on their reference list?” Make sure all the people on your list knows you’ve put them there.
- Better yet, soon after a hiring manager asks for your list of references, call each person on your list to let them know that a potential employer will be calling him/her soon to check on your references.
- Make sure the references on your list can speak in detail about your capabilities. In other words, don’t provide references that are irrelevant or inappropriate.
- Provide as much contact information on your references as possible so that the hiring manager can reach them easily. Ask your references for their phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. Ask them which means of contact is best, or which is the one they prefer. You can note this information on your list.
- Make sure your references are up to date on your whereabouts and accomplishments. You may have worked with your references a few years ago, so you’ll want to be sure they can still talk about how great you were, and that they know what your job/career goals are now. You’ll want them to highlight the good work you did with or for them and how it’s applicable to the job you’re seeking. In other words, stay in contact with your references!
If you’re an IT professional in the Bay Area, bring your resume and reference list to the recruiters at Bayside Solutions. We can help you find great opportunities with some of San Francisco’s best employers. If you are looking for employment agencies in Pleasanton CA, contact Bayside Solutions.
