Can You Network Your Way into a Better Reference?
Posted January 15th, 2015
When hiring managers have to choose between two similarly qualified candidates, references are often the decision-making factor. That’s why it’s so important to have the best possible professional references ready to confirm your credentials, compliment your character, and offer their endorsement. Here are a few ways you can use careful networking to produce more references and better references.
Expand Your Network
Networking is a great way to connect with a diverse group of professionals, each of whom can speak to a different aspect of your credentials. One might praise your technical skills, while another would speak to your leadership abilities and a third would highlight your positive presence in the office. Using networking to establish and maintain these varied contacts makes it easy to find qualified references able to speak to every side of your character.
Summarize Yourself
There are a number of networking tools from LinkedIn to Monster that make it easy to post a resume or summarize a work history. Use these tools to help you update any potential reference on your skills and experiences. Connections in your network may know some about you, but not enough to provide a thorough and accurate reference. Make sure they are up to speed before you provide their contact info.
Stay Active
Employers want to know that anyone they hire is capable of growing and changing with the company. Networking actively and regularly is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to professional development. You might even consider listing someone as a reference simply because they know how often you show up for conferences, take place in round table discussions, post on message boards and contribute to the professional community.
Reach Out
It’s always better to notify a reference before a potential employer contacts them. If you have been networking seriously, you should have no trouble getting in touch with a potential reference, explaining your situation, and enlisting their support. That way, when they do get a call or email, they are not caught off guard, they understand the position you are trying to get, and they know what to highlight about you. Without networking, it is too easy for these professional contacts to simply drift away and grow unreachable.
Networking can help you get a better reference, but it can also help you get a better job and a better compensation package. Even if you are currently employed, it’s always worth it to put in the time and effort it takes to maintain your professional network. Learn about other ways to use your network to your advantage by consulting with the experts at Bayside Solutions.
