It should go without saying that having good references is an important part of the job search process. The employer who is evaluating you has only met you on a few occasions and he feels you have the skills required. But your references are people who have worked with you regularly and who know your work first hand.
Ideally, your references should be former managers. Peers are second choices, particularly for non-manager level job hunters.
So what’s the biggest mistake that job hunters make with their references?
They don’t have the references checked to hear what is said about them!
(The second biggest mistake is presenting inaccurate contact information to the employer and then having to correct it.)
Recently, someone I was representing for a senior position with a major firm took “the lazy man’s approach” of turning over unchecked references to a prospective employer. They were given at the time of the first meeting on the employment application.
They were given at the time of the first meeting on the employment application.
Three interviews later, the employer called them and heard one of them offer what can only be described as a “candid assessment” of the individual’s lack of success. It was impossible to fix.
For less experienced people, the reference may not be skillful at describing successes, contributions , and experience, presenting information in a “lukewarm” manner that is interpreted as ambivalence or neutrality, rather than the lack of experience the reference provider may have.
Make sure your references will speak in glowing terms about:
Skills competence Character Personal leadership Work ethic Ability to work with superiors, peers, subordinates and others you may interact with SelfMotivation Personality Ability to work independently Ability to work with a team Ability to work under pressure
Not preparing your references may result in your candidacy crashing and burning.
Preparing them well can give you that extra inch that puts you over the top … and pays you better!
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, all as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1900 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.
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