References. Some applications ask for them, others don’t. Either way, they are something you should have armed and ready in case the moment arises.
Say you’re just starting your job search and are getting everything ready ahead of time. Revising your resume, writing your cover letter, figuring out what you’re looking for, etc. You start applying for jobs when your dream job pops up. It’s been posted for a few days, so you want to get your name in the race (and fast).
You’re making your way through the application when they ask for 3 references. Your old boss said he’d be a reference for you once upon a time, along with some co-workers from 5 or 10 years ago. They ask for phone numbers and email addresses, but all you have is their contact information from your old workplace they no longer work at. Maybe you should’ve thought of this ahead of time…
Fortunately there’s still time! Follow these few tips below and you’ll be ready to go in no time.
Unless instructed otherwise, your references should be professional in nature. This means people you’ve worked with including team leads, managers, supervisors, or peers. Personal references equal friends, family friends, mentors, etc. That’s generally not what HR folks are after. A friend or mentor cannot speak to you as an employee, ultimately because they’ve never interacted with you in the workplace.
Try to include people that you’ve worked with recently, instead of colleagues you had 15 years ago. Chances are you’ve grown as an employee and do something completely different than you did back then. While they may still remember everything about you as an employee, they won’t have the most updated information. Stay on the safe side and list references from your past role or the one before that.
Place preference on listing supervisors, managers, and teams leads rather than peers, as well. While a co-worker can be helpful, the testimonial doesn’t hold as much weight. They’re most likely a friend of yours, and will say nice things no matter what. A manager sees the top down view and is likely privy to how you’re performing overall.
With that being said, it might not be your best bet to list a reference you know won’t have great things to say. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on why, and consider others than may be a better option.
Now that you know who to list, it’s time to compile at least 2-3 references. Always, always, always ask permission from a reference before you list them. Not only will it ensure that they’re expecting the call (and will call them back in a timely manner), but it will also ensure that they’re able to give a reference. More and more companies are adopting a no reference policy. If references aren’t calling back, it could mean a slower hiring process or no offer at all. The role could be on a time crunch, and you’re tied with another candidate. This could serve as a deciding factor for the company, which could have been avoided completely.
By asking permission, you also have the opportunity to get updated contact information for them. Say they’ve moved on to a new company, changed their email address, or got a new phone number. This is all very important to note, and is a great time to touch base and double check.
Asking someone to be a reference doesn’t have to be a huge deal, either. Send a quick email, text, or call and simply ask them to be your reference. Most should say yes! It’s never a bad idea to ask a boss or peer if they’ll be a reference in the future when leaving one job for another. Being proactive never hurts anyone.
So, what if they ask for recent references when you’ve been at your job for years and years? Maybe it’s your first professional role, or maybe you’ve been there so long you’ve lost touch with old co-workers.
This can be worrisome: who wants to ask their current boss (who doesn’t know their employee is looking to leave) to be a reference? Generally no one.
Try to think of co-workers you trust or past supervisors/team leads/peers that have left the company. This is a great path to go in lieu of risking your current job for a potential future role. Overall they are still able to speak to your experience without the added risk.
Getting to the point where a company is reaching out to your references is generally a good thing. If HR or a hiring manager gives you the heads up on calling your references, extend that heads up to the references themselves! They will then expect the call, have time to gather their thoughts on what to say, and won’t block every phone number they don’t know.
Be in contact with them throughout the process and ask them to alert you when they’ve been contacted. If they haven’t heard anything, chances are there are issues with their contact information or something holding the process up. Use this as a time to be helpful and ask the recruiter if they need anything additional from you.
References can be a make or break thing when it comes to getting a job. Choose wisely, and follow these steps to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. After all, who better to testify on how great you are than someone who has seen you in action in the workplace?
Happy job hunting!
This article is my own and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of TEKsystems.
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