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Who you list as your reference can have a big impact on your ability to land a job.
Job references are important for the employer and the potential employee. Employers typically use references to make hiring decisions and a lack of them can hurt your chances of getting a position. It could even lead an employer to choose another candidate over you.
References should be close friends or colleagues. These individuals should be able to effortlessly point out all your strengths and act as your cheerleader to help you get that next job. Let’s look at how to navigate the hiring process while providing references that help you stay competitive in the job market.
While a one-on-one interview can give a recruiter or employer valuable insight, speaking to references with an established relationship with the candidate can help find the right fit. Here are a few ways job references are important.
When everyone is trying to pad their resume with skills and experience, it can be difficult to whittle down candidates. “References can help a hiring manager who is teetering between two candidates, affirm a gut feeling or possibly provide insight into a question mark,” said Claudia Johnson, senior vice president, human capital, at professional search and staffing firm Addison Group.
Using top-level references in the industry you are applying for can impress a recruiter or potential employer. The more you network in your current job, the easier it will be to level up in your next.
Everyone does their best to showcase their strengths and skills on a resume, but only outside references can give an unbiased view of your suitability for the job. Companies want candidates who can fit easily into their workplace culture and meet productivity standards. A hiring manager can use references to get to know the real you.
Although you should typically avoid personal references, they can be used instead of professional references under certain circumstances. For example, if you don’t have previous work experience or your previous employer has a “no reference” policy, Sue Andrews, business and human resources (HR) consultant at KIS Finance, said you can use a character reference from a teacher or someone else in a position of authority who knows you well.
A list of credible references should always be a tool in one’s job hunting toolbox. Still, there is a slight possibility that your references may not be contacted, depending on the company you are applying to.
“It may also be the company’s policy not to ask for references,” said Johnson. “I see this a lot with larger firms who may have other steps in place, such as certain tests and cross-department or role interviews.” Regardless of the company’s policies, it is still wise to have access to your professional references, just in case.
Andrews said most employers wait until they are at the final shortlisting stage before contacting references. When they do check, she said, it is usually in writing or via email, but some employers may also call.
According to Johnson, hiring managers typically will ask for three professional references. The references you provide should each offer unique value to the employer.
“Candidates should provide a mix of references, including someone they previously reported to, a peer and/or somebody from a different department that they worked closely with,” said Johnson.
When employers speak with these references, they will be checking the claims in your resume and interview. Andrews said to resist the temptation to exaggerate your skills and experience as it could backfire on you during this stage. [Read related: Who Are You Hiring? The Shocking Cost of Resume Fraud]
A hiring manager can ask your references several types of questions. According to Andrews, hiring managers typically verify how the reference knows you, then move on to questions about your tenure.
“They’ll want to verify any information that you’ve provided, such as job titles, key responsibilities and potentially pay, to make sure that this stacks up against what you’ve told them,” said Andrews. “They’ll also want to check out any claims that you’ve made, such as projects that you’ve undertaken or results that you’ve delivered.”
>> Learn More: 8 Hiring Challenges Facing Small Business Owners
The hiring manager may even provide details about the job you’re applying for and ask the reference if they think you would be a good fit. [Read related: 10 HR Interview Questions for Employers]
As Johnson said, include a mix of professional references who can emphasize your positive attributes. For example, a manager can attest to your punctuality and ability to meet deadlines, whereas a co-worker can attest to your teamwork skills. A current or former client can speak on behalf of your excellent customer service skills and a supervisee can comment on your management abilities. Job hunting college graduates can also use former professors.
Andrews said the best job references are from direct managers who know you well and can speak confidently and positively about your abilities.
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“You want someone who is familiar with your work and can talk knowledgeably about your achievements,” Andrews said. “If possible, avoid asking for a reference from someone whose own written or verbal skills are lacking, as this could mean a less-than-enthusiastic reference.”
“Once the new employer is at the final decision stage, they will probably want a reference from your most recent manager,” said Andrews. “In this case, you can ask for a firm job offer to be made first, which can be subject to a good reference.”
A bad reference is often imagined as a spiteful past employer who says slanderous things about you. However, employee defamation laws make it uncommon for previous employers to spread damaging lies about candidates.
Instead, a bad reference is typically someone who is ill-prepared, quiet or unresponsive. If a reference speaks in vague terms or gives short responses, it may reflect poorly on you.
According to Andrews, most hiring managers will understand if a reference isn’t as positive as you had hoped as long as you have a genuine explanation for the discrepancies.
“Maybe you just didn’t get along with a particular manager or perhaps they are still aggrieved that you left the organization,” said Andrews. “However, if there’s a pattern to the references, such as reports of poor performance or being difficult to manage, then this will be very damaging to your job prospects.”
Choose your job references carefully. Andrews advised that prospects who foresee potential issues with a reference or past employer should inform the hiring manager upfront to prevent surprises later.
Getting a good job reference takes effort. Don’t just list a few random co-workers and a former boss. Expect them to be available and prepared to praise you.
Since a recruiter or potential employer usually calls references, consider speaking with each potential reference to see how they react when talking with you on the phone. Always end with “Are you willing to be a favorable reference?” If they hesitate at all, it’s best to choose another reference who is confident in your skills.
Johnson said this notification will prepare your reference for what’s to come, minimizing the risk of being caught off guard and accidentally giving you a less-than-stellar reference.
Give your references details about each job opportunity. References could be the deciding factor between the final round of candidates, so providing them with a heads-up about the personality and skill set of the person calling can be a huge help, too.
If one of your references is contacted and they tell you, it’s best to follow up with a thank-you note. You can even go one step further and offer to repay the favor. You never know when you will need them as a reference again and good references can be difficult to come by.
Good job references best practices:
Additional reporting by Julie Thompson. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.