Like it or not, obtaining excellent references are an essential part of your job search.
"In addition to your own ability to sell your skills and qualifications you also need qualified people who are willing to support your candidacy," said Marcia Robinson, a senior professional in human resources.
Potential employers generally contact references after the job interview because they think you are the right person for the job and want to confirm your skill set, work ethic and character, among other things. Not having a list of references or just throwing them together at the last minute can cost you the job.
"A few months ago, I received a call from a potential employer about someone who had listed me as a reference and I had no idea who the person was," said Christina Overstreet, Transition Services Manager in Vicenza, Italy. "Later, I researched her and learned she had volunteered once for the organization I worked for, years prior. I didn't let on that I had no idea who the person was, but said I wasn't able to provide a reference because I hadn't had enough opportunities to interact with her. The employer was speechless.”
According to a 2012 CareerBuilder.com survey 69 percent of the respondents have changed their minds about a candidate after speaking with a reference. Of those, 47 percent had a less favorable opinion about the candidate while 23 percent had a more favorable one.
Don't be the job candidate with a less favorable outcome.
“Never list a reference without checking with that person first and don't list anyone you are not 100 percent sure will give you a fantastic reference,” Overstreet said.
The advantages to asking a potential reference to pass their name on with your resume: your references won't be caught off guard when the employer calls; you will have the references' preferred and accurate contact information to pass along; and the person will have a chance to decline before the employer calls.
The CareeBuilder.com survey stated that 62 percent of the employers who contacted a reference said the reference didn't have anything good to say about the candidate. So you must also be very selective of who your references are.
“Many people make the mistake of thinking they can only ask people who were senior to them at work, but it’s ok to ask mentors, colleagues, peers and professors, as long as they can provide objective facts and personal reflections about you as relates to the job,” Robinson said.
Also, don't get hung up on how long ago is too long to have worked with someone for them to be a reference.
“If the relationship is current and you are discussing transferable skills and behaviors, I don't think it matters,” Robinson said. “Just make sure the examples they provide are current.”
There's no need to worry about having local references either. Use people with whom you had or have a great rapport. Genuine interest and enthusiasm can go a long way with an employer who is looking for confirmation of his or her choice.
Finally, prepare your references so they are able to sing your praises. Meet with them or use email to provide a copy of your resume and point out a few key points for discussion. Knowing what jobs you are applying for and specific examples of how you think you meet or exceed the qualifications will help them provide relevant and excellent feedback to your next employer.
