Know the ins-and-outs of job references
Steps to follow for your job references
Before providing references and their contact information, be sure to call each person directly to confirm that they will still give you a good reference. Tell them about the job you’re interviewing for and why you consider yourself to be a good candidate. That way, your reference can quickly respond to your prospective employer’s request, and provide exactly the right information to help you get the job.
Who should be my references?
Your references must be able to speak to the quality of your professional work. Personal references such as pastors, friends or neighbors are not suitable. The best references are, of course, from recent employers. Here’s the typical order of preference, starting with the most desirable type of reference.
Here is who you should look to give you the testimonial and/or reference:
- Your most recent indirect supervisor.
- Professional peers.
- People who reported to you.
What if I can’t find the people who are best suited to give me a good reference?
If you’ve lost contact with potential references, contact anyone you still know at the company to find out if they can help you. It’s critical that you find a reference to avoid losing a good job offer!
What if my former company doesn’t allow current employees to give references?
One great option here is to contact other people no longer employed by that company, as they’re no longer bound by that company policy. If your direct boss left the company a few months before you did, he/she would still be a good reference and may speak freely about you.
What if my former boss won’t give me a good reference?
If you aren’t sure what your former boss will say, you can call the human resources department and confirm what’s in your official records. Did you officially “resign” or were you “terminated”? It’s very important that you know what’s in your official employment records. You may also engage a professional firm that conducts reference checks to determine what your former employer will say about you.
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