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Appearing for an interview is like selling a product- the product being you. Resumes get you invited for an interview, where you get to market yourself. But references are what closes a deal. When a company is hiring you, it is making a massive investment. It is obvious that anybody making such a large investment will make sure that they're making the right choice. This choice will largely be influenced by the references that you provide.
It's true that most employers don't do a complete background check. They’re not even meant for that. However, most employers will at least go through one or two of them that you provide. Underestimating the power of them is a massive mistake. If an employer has interviewed two equally good individuals for a particular position, the next obvious step for them to be taken is to contact at least a couple of references. This will be when your “dream job” will be in hands of other people. It's a frightening scenario, but with tiny care and planning, you can turn this into an opportunity that'll work in your favor.
Who Can Be A Reference?
These should ideally be people you've reported to in your previous jobs. Alternatively, if you’ve been in your current job for a long time, someone who used to work with you and has left, or someone who used to report to you, could also be a good reference. In certain industries, providing ones from outside the company is also accepted. These could be vendors or business associates.
Who Can’t Be A Reference?
Family and relatives are not suited to be references. A long letter from Uncle Harry describing how energetic you were in your youth and how skillful you’re is of tiny to no importance. Old letters written in the past by previous employers to “whomsoever it might concern” will hardly interest your prospective employer, and the chances of such a letter being read is low.
Keys To Using Job References
• Never put references on your resume. It should be on a separate sheet titled “References”. However, they should be carried to the interview and should be provided on request.
• You should think strategically about the references that you wish to mention. You want to list people who will make strong recommendations for you. Putting down names of supervisors is not mandatory, especially if they're not aware of your achievements or if there's a fear that they may not speak strongly for you. The focus should be on people, either former co-workers, or supervisors, who know what you've done and what you’re capable of.
• You should always get the permission of the person you wish to use as a reference. Most people will have no problem with that, or might even be flattered with the proposal; however, some people might decline your request for whatever reason. Be prepared for that.
• You should mention all the details for them, which would ideally consist of full name, current designation, company name, business address and contact information.
• Keep them informed about the job you are seeking. Provide them with your updated resume, and make sure they are aware of your skills and your accomplishments.
Good references can help you secure that perfect job; therefore, some extra effort should be put into making sure that nothing is left to chance.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma On the web - http://www.sixsigmaonline.org, offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.