References

Sooner or later you will be asked to provide references. DO NOT offer references until asked. Reference checks are made to:

• Assure that you told the truth about yourself.
• Get a feeling for how you work with others.
• Pick up otherwise undisclosed information, either positive or negative.

Today, many employers are very careful about sharing information due to the chance of a lawsuit. Often a company will only provide a job title and dates of employment.

Select Appropriate References  

Choose people who know you in a work setting - managers, peers, and subordinates. They are your best references. Customers or vendors are also good choices, along with well-known political, community, or business leaders, educators, or professional trade association experts. Do not use neighbors, relatives, and doctors. All references should know you well enough to speak objectively and in some detail about your skills, strengths, and personal characteristics.

Prepare Your References to Help You 

Typically you are asked for three references. You will need to have several more references just in case. Prepare a reference list to give a prospective employer using the following format.

• A Reference List
• Your name at the top of the page
• Names of each of your references
• Their phone number
• Their current & former titles
• Their address
• Their relationship to you (former manager, subordinate, co-worker, etc.)
• Their current company

Help Your References Help You

• Ask first.
• Always ask a person to act as a reference before you provide his or her name to an employer.
• Meet with the person to verify information for your reference sheet and ensure that you will get a positive reference.
• Prepare your reference.
• Provide a copy of your resume to the person.
• Develop a one-page summary including your career objective, reason for leaving, strengths, weaknesses, and work and management style, and then review it with him or her.
• Call your reference when you give his or her name to an employer.
• Provide details about the prospective position and what you have to offer.

Share your excitement and enthusiasm.

• Ask for feedback after your reference has been contacted.
• What types of questions were asked?
• What topics were covered?
• What concerns were raised?
• Thank your reference!