About Job References
Putting together a list of job references is just as important as writing a winning resume when you are looking for a job. Being able to provide prospective employers with contact information for people who have positive things to say about you can make you stand out from other qualified people who are applying for the same jobs.
Other People Are Reading
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Significance
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Having positive job references can help separate you from everyone else. When former employers and others who have direct knowledge of your skills and abilities are willing to provide recommendations to prospective employers, their words can make the difference between getting a job offer or being removed from consideration for employment.
Function
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Employers check references on people they are considering hiring for several reasons. Employers contact applicants' former employers to verify past employment, to confirm whether or not they would be eligible for rehire and to inquire about previous job performance. When speaking with references who are not previous employers, questions typically focus on work habits, personality traits and details specific to how candidates will likely perform on the job in the future. The idea behind checking references is to get a third party's impression of each applicant as well as to verify accuracy of the information provided during the application process.
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Types
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When looking for a new job, it's best to have several types of job references. You'll need to provide contact information for your former employers in the work history section of your application. Most employers also ask for job references who are not former employers and who are not related to applicants. It's important to choose individuals who have some knowledge of your job-related abilities and work ethic and will have positive things to say about you when asked. Former colleagues, supervisors, teachers and people you have worked with on committees can make excellent job references.
Warning
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Before using someone as a job reference, it's essential to ask for permission to do so. If you list someone as a reference without permission, the person may not be prepared to answer questions about you when contacted by your prospective employers. If the people you list as references seem hesitant to answer questions or unsure of who you are, their responses will send a negative impression to prospective employers.
Expert Insight
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Many former employers won't provide subjective information to companies that contact them for information about former employees. In many cases, former employers will provide no information other than confirmation of dates of prior employment, job held and whether or not the former employee would be eligible for rehire. That's why it's so important to have excellent professional references who are not former employers. Often, it's positive statements from former co-workers, clients and others who have firsthand experience working with individuals that are the deciding factor in hiring decisions between equally qualified applicants.
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