REFERENCES
Nearly every employer requires applicants to provide references as part of the application process. It is important job seekers have identified quality references willing to recommend them for a job.
Purpose of a Reference
Employers invest a lot of money and time in training a new employee. An employer wants the new employee to be successful because they do not want to waste the investment made by training the person. In addition to the investment, they risk losing a customer or two while the person is training. So if a person does not work out, the company loses efficiency and profit.
One of the ways an employer will try to be sure the prospective employee will be a good match for their job is to contact another person to get feedback on how s/he is as a person and as a worker. They are looking for a good recommendation and to see how the person will fit with their company.
Therefore, a reference that you pick really needs to know you well. It should not be a casual acquaintance, but someone who can easily answer questions about your work skills, personality, and your ability to deal with stress, customers, and co-workers.
Personal and Work References
Employers ask for work or personal references and sometimes both. They are not the same type of reference and job seekers must be prepared to give both types of references.
Personal Reference
Employers who are seeking a personal reference are looking to learn more about a person’s personality, demeanor, coping skills, and community relationships. They are less concerned about evaluating the applicant’s technical work skill set and more concerned about how the person will “fit in” with the company culture and values. The focus of a personal reference is on soft-skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.
A personal reference can be a family member, friend, teacher, or co-worker (although some employers do not want family references). It is very important to let a personal reference know if they are being listed as a personal or work reference. A personal reference does not need to discuss an applicant’s work history, but instead the person’s values, personality, coping skills, learning ability, etc.
Work References
A work reference must come from a co-worker, supervisor, manager, or another individual who can personally witness how an applicant functioned in the workforce. An employer is looking for the insight of a person who has personal experience working with the applicant. This person must be able to accurately describe specific work situations and skills of the applicant.
A work reference does not need to be an expert on the applicant’s entire work history, only for the period of time in which the reference has worked with the applicant.
Selecting a Good Reference
Some people make good references on paper – meaning they look like a good reference because of their job title or position, but do not make good references when actually contacted by the employer.
Get Permission
Always ask a person if they will be a reference for you. A person can be a poor reference because they did not know they were listed a reference and were therefore caught off guard when called. No matter how well the reference recovers from their initial confusion, the employer already has a poor impression of the applicant.
Screen the Reference
Ask the reference what they would say to an employer. Do they have a high opinion of you and of your work skills? Do they seem uncomfortable agreeing to be your reference? If they are hesitant, consider asking someone else. Applicants need references that are eager to provide a good reference.
Provide Written Information to the Reference
When asking a person to be a reference, hand them a data sheet about you. The data sheet should not be a reference, but key points that the reference should know including:
- How long you have known each other
- How you met and have interacted (i.e. through church, school activity, etc.)
- Summary of jobs
- Summary of education
- Key skill sets
Accurate Contact Information
After confirming a reference, gather their contact information including address, phone number, and job title.
Alerting a Reference
After completing an interview, inform your references that they may be getting a call from the employer. Let them know the job you have applied for and what the employer may be interested to hear from a reference.
Employment Search Tip1rev. 11/15/07