The Job Search Coach

Job References can make the difference between you receiving a job offer or not receiving a job offer. Great references can also determine the salary and compensation that you are offered. So be prepared.

As a recruiter I was always amazed when job seekers could not readily provide me with their references when I was preparing to send them out to a client of mine for an interview.

There is more to providing references than just writing a few names on a piece of paper.

Preparing references involves two main areas:

1. the information and how you present it;
    
2. the references themselves.

Have your references available

Always have your references available to be given to a job interviewer or hiring manager when they are requested. A reference request is a good indication that the job interviewer wants to find out more about you. They are interested in you.

How many references and who should they be?

The number and type of references requested will vary from organization to organization. So be prepared with a range of references including:

1. supervisors
2. peers
3. personal references

Be organized

Your references should be organized in detail on a standard sheet of paper.

Your name and telephone number should be at the top of the page just as it appears on your resume. i.e.:

References for Joe/Jane Jobseeker
Home telephone: nnn-xxx-xxxx.

Always have at least 5 printed copies of your references on hand when you go to an job interview.

Required reference information

Each reference should include the following information:

• Their full name.
• Their relationship to you … supervisor, peer or personal.

Supervisor References

All prospective employers and recruiters will want work references from current and former employers.

It is not uncommon to be asked for Supervisors going back two, three or four jobs.

Some employers want a list of employers and your immediate supervisor going back ten years.

If a security clearance is required then you may be asked for the names of every supervisor you have evert had.

• Their full name
• Their title
• The name of the organization where you reported to them
• The time period that you reported to them, including months and years
• The name of their current employer
• Their current direct telephone number at work

Peer References

• Their full name
• The name of the organization where you worked with them
• Their title at that organization
• Your relationship to them at work
• The time period that you worked with them
• The name of their current employer
• Their current direct telephone number at work

Personal References

• Their full name;
• For a personal reference, provide a brief sentence about how you know the person and for how long;
• Their current place of employment;
• Their current title or position;
• Their current office telephone number.

Take Action

Job References can make the difference between you receiving a job offer or not receiving a job offer. Great references can also determine the salary and compensation that you are offered.

Take action today and get your job references organized. Be prepared.