Your references are a precious resource. They are your champions, the ones who will help convince the hiring managers that you are the right choice for the role, and that they would be lucky to have you as part of their team.
At some point of the interviewing process you will be asked to provide references.
You need to have a list of references ready. These should include previous managers, colleagues and employees. Sales people may be asked to also provide a customer reference.
Make sure to follow these rules to ensure that your references are always your biggest champions:
- Keep in touch with your references on an on-going basis, have a relationship with them, so that you are not just reaching out when you need them.
- Only provide references at a late stage of the interviewing process. You want your references to be contacted only for serious opportunities. They are providing their valuable time, make sure it is not wasted.
- Prepare your references. Let them know who will be reaching out to them. Tell them about the company and the role you applied for so that they can provide relevant information on the call.
You don’t want the conversation with your reference to start with: “Who are you calling about? What is this about? Oh, I haven’t talked with them for years.”
You want it to be:
“Yes, I am happy to provide a reference for Jane, she told me about your company and the role, it sounds like a great fit for her”.
- Always follow up with your references to thank them for their time. Let them know if you did or did not get that job.
- If asked to be a reference, make yourself available to promptly provide positive feedback.