By Joanna Boydak, LiveCareer
Would you be excited to eat at a restaurant that has a mediocre review? An unenthusiastic
reference may hurt more than help, so choose your references carefully and make
sure they are prepared. With just a little extra planning, you can guarantee your
references help you win the job.
Follow these steps to prepare for a reference check:
1. Make your list- Ideally, you will want to use your most recent
supervisor as a reference. Former clients, employees you have supervised and co-workers
are acceptable as well. If you are an entry-level candidate with little experience,
list a mentor such as a professor or family friend. All of these types of references
can provide valid insight into your character and abilities as a future employee.
2. Get their permission- Never submit your references before getting
their permission first. Describe the type of job that you are looking for and request
that they be a reference. If you sense hesitation, consider asking someone else.
Having a great reference requires the individual to be prepared to vouch for you
with enthusiasm.
3. Make sure they are prepared- Employers are looking to confirm
your job title, dates of employment, and your main accomplishments on the job. Make
sure you supply your reference with an up-to date
resume that outlines this information, giving them the accurate details
that the hiring manager is looking to confirm. You may also want to ask them how
and when they prefer to be contacted so that they are easily reached.
4. Make it easy for them- No one likes to be caught off guard,
so let them know in advance when you expect that they will be called. If it's been
some time since you worked together, provide a few suggested highlights for them
to cover. This "cheat sheet" can include a list of bullet points summarizing the
employment dates, your job title, and the key accomplishments they should emphasize.
For example, if leadership is an import aspect of the position, emphasize a time
when you showed strong guidance and excelled as a mentor to lead your team to success.
Now that you have all great references but need help updating your resume,
Resume Builder can help. Its easy-to-use and guides you through step-by-step.
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