Stupid Job Search Mistakes: Not Preparing Your References in Advance
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
I used to check references for my clients prior to an offer being extended. Too many people did the stupid thing of no preparing their references for a call.
00:00 Introduction
00:31 A story about a mistake
01:30 How to prepare your references
Hi. I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. And people hire me for no BS job search advice and coaching globally, because they make everything so much easier related to their search.
I want to talk with you today about one of those stupid interview mistakes or job search mistakes that people make much too often. It’s not preparing your references. Let me explain.
When I did recruiting, I remember, one of my clients was about to extend an offer to someone, asked for three names and numbers of people to contact by way of reference. And my habit was always to check the reference first, before turning it over the client. So I got the names and numbers, called the first reference, terrible. Second reference– terrible but in a different way. Third reference, not particularly good . Matter of fact, mediocre, at best. I called my client and said, “I’m not sure you should hire them. Let me explain what I found out,” and went through the three references. I was thanked. I wound up with a lot more business because of my honesty.
And I’ll just simply say, for you as a job hunter, not preparing your references in advance that they might be called is one of those dumb mistakes people make way too often.
So here’s how to prepare them so this way, you don’t wind up in situations like this person did, where their references are just terrible. So the first thing is give them a heads up that they may be contacted by such and such company, which is going to let them mentally start to prepare for the call and gather any relevant information about your work. Thank them. Thank them at the beginning of your conversation, Thank them at the end of the conversation. Thanking them is important. They’re going out of their way to help you and if you take it for granted, there’s going to come a point where your references are not going to show up for you.
Give them a copy of the job description or a quality oral description of the role, emphasizing the specific requirements of it so they can tailor their answers to the specifics of the job. Sing your praises. You want them to sound enthusiastic, and to talk about specific projects you worked on, things that you did to solve problems, your work ethic, anything that ties into the job, but to do it in a way where they sound happy to do it. Enthusiasm on their part goes a long way to be convincing to a hiring firm that they should hire you.
Bring them up to date on more recent experiences that you’ve had. It’s rare that you’re going to turn over a reference from your current firm, right? So there may be a gap in their knowledge base about you. And you can say “I understand they went to work for so and so where they were doing such and such and such and such.” And that’s good enough.
And again, they’ve got to sound happy, excited, enthusiastic and positive about you, because otherwise, it’s mediocre. And you never want to turn over mediocre references.
I hope you found this helpful. I’m Jeff Altman. Visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us There is a ton there that’ll help you in the blog. Plus, you can order my video courses, books, and guides. Again, there’s a lot there that will help.
Also, while you’re at the site, if you’d like a few questions answered, you can schedule time for what I call a trusted advisor services where you can book time with me for a half hour and I’ll answer your questions. You’ll get a video recording at the end of the session, or for coaching if you’re earlier in the process, and you want me to guide you through it, answer your questions, help you with a search. I’m happy to do that.
Lastly, connect with me on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter. Have a terrific day and be great!
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things
can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2600 episodes.
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Congrats on making a number of people unemployable. Hope you feel good about yourself.
This is Bonnie for Jeff. I am confused by your statement that he is making someone unemployable by reminding them to have their references prepared. Would you please explain your thinking.