Your professional references can make or break your opportunities. Though this may feel daunting, you can craft an effective plan to ensure positive feedback.
During the candidate selection process usually close to the final stretch your potential employers will probably ask you to provide references. This list should include the names and contact information of (at least) three professional connections. These folks will be expected to speak directly about your work ethic,
your personality, and other traits your future employers should know about. If they choose to contact these references, your reviewers will likely ask how you are acquainted, and how long you worked together, and inquire about your reliability and skills.
In order to make the most of this critical step in the hiring process, keep these guidelines in mind as you craft your reference list.
Choose references you trust.
Being chosen as your reference is an honor. Those who appear on your list should recognize and respect the significance of this gesture.
When you add references to your list, you’re saying that you respect and trust them. If you suspect a reference may speak poorly of you, hand this honor to someone else. Wait! It doesn’t stop there.
Upon handing the honor to a better candidate, brief this new reference. Explain the position. Highlight the talents you’d like discussed. Send a copy of your updated resume, and share a copy of the cover letter you wrote for the position.
Remember that the most effective references are those who understand your ambitions and know which of your talents will lead you there.
Choose references who are smart, professional, and diplomatic.
It’s not just about loyalty; you should trust your reference to respond in an intelligent way if they’re presented with tricky questions. Questions like, “Please tell me three things that you don’t like about this candidate”, or “Can you name a responsibility that you’d rather trust to someone else?” require critical thinking skills, facility with words, and high levels of diplomacy to answer.
Your reference may like you, but does he or she have what it takes to answer a curve-ball without making you look bad?
Ask your references for permission BEFORE you submit your list.
Before sharing names and contact information, reach out to your references and obtain their consent. If your contacts don’t expect a call, they may not be available.
This can cast doubt on your candidacy because a listed reference who dodges contact is considered a red flag by most employers. Worse yet, if your reference is caught off guard, she or he may not be prepared to shower you with thoughtful praise.
Wait, it can still be worse! Some references are annoyed by a barrage of calls they don’t expect. An irritated reference can torpedo your chances of landing a job with just a few words.
Treat your references with respect.
Protect your references. Don’t add their information to your online profiles, resume, or any document that will be shared with strangers.
If you know your reference has preferred hours of availability, add this detail to the list. While you’re at it, if you have enough reliable references to do so, keep a rotating list of 10 names.
Mix it up, and alternate the three you share with your prospective employers. This will keep the pressure from building up on the same few people repeatedly.
Don’t keep relying on a weak reference.
If you suspect your former boss is providing a lukewarm reference, take action. You can discuss the matter respectfully (even if you’re angry). If you’d rather avoid that conversation, you can ask the HR department to intervene on your behalf.
Otherwise, you can make a far simpler move: Eliminate your former boss as a reference, and add someone else.
This means a great friend doesn’t always make a great reference, and vice versa. Keep your list flexible.
For more on how to create a reference list that can help you stand out and get hired
