Job References Still Matter – 5 Ways to Make Them Work for YOU!

Posted on June 07, 2013 by Wendy Robinson, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

In the world of digital everything, there is one old school practice that is still very important…personal and professional references. There is nothing more powerful than a firsthand account from someone who knows you and can vouch for who you are and what you are capable of contributing.

Hiring managers will take advantage of the digital resources they have to narrow down their job candidate choices. Therefore it’s very important to make sure your online presence is “right and tight”. However when it comes time to make a final decision of which candidate will ultimately be offered the position they are seeking to fill, they will rely on the words and recommendations of others who know, like and trust you.

You won’t be able to control what your references say about you but you can do some things beforehand so that the recommendations are meaningful to your job search.

Choose your references wisely. Make sure each person you choose can describe relevant details of your work experience and not just details about the specific position you held. The most impressive recommendations come from recollections of what you did over and above what was expected.

Be sure to ask your chosen cheerleaders if it’s ok to list them as a reference. The first reason is so that they will be available for hiring managers to contact. A reference that is not reachable helps no one…it can even hurt you by making you appear unprepared. The second to ask your reference first is so that they can be prepared to describe you in the best way possible. Spending time refreshing their memory on key accomplishments and projects you’ve worked on is key.

Be proactive in keeping your reference list current. Don’t leave it until the last minute or until you need to look for a job. One of the tasks I encourage my clients to practice is to always keep their resume up to date and current. Especially when their role changes at work or they start a new position. This holds true for references as well. Develop and maintain good working relationships with your references and keep them updated on your progress. Also, keep their contact information, title, company name and email address updated.

If you are new to the job force, former professors or fellow members of any professional organizations you belong to can serve as great references as well. Just be sure they are good communicators and know you well enough to speak for you and your work ethic.

Even if you’ve provided a copy electronically, be sure to have hard copies of your reference list with you during your interview. When requested, your preparedness and confidence shines through when you present a copy on the spot.

These tips will help you to help your references get you glowing recommendations and hopefully, the job!

Choose Success!