Job Hunting: Tips For Providing Personal References

Compiling Personal References should be an important part of any job-seeking strategy. And while this is especially true for individuals applying for professional positions, it's a worthy task for any job applicant looking to make their application stand out.

Of course, most job applicants are apt to add “references available on request” on their resumes. However, this often amounts to little more than resume boilerplate in so much as many job seekers have not given much thought to obtaining and providing this information.

As part of “packaging” one’s credentials, job seekers need to line up their references prior to the interview process. Of course, not every potential employer will ask for references, just the same, all job applicants should anticipate such requests and plan accordingly.

As is the case with resumes and cover letters, planning and preparation are key to properly responding to Reference Requests. In this regard, consider the following tips as you line up you references:

1. Identify potential references - ideally, these should include people from both your personal AND professional life.

2. Contact potential references - ask this person’s permission before actually including him or her as a reference.

3. Explain what references can expect - for the most part, references may be asked to answer a few questions about the job applicant from a prospective employer either by phone or by formal letter.

4. Provide background – sometimes a job seeker will be asked to provide a Letter of Reference. In such cases, it is customary for the job seeker to provide a draft letter for the reference.

5. Limit the number of references - three is optimal.

6. Discourage contact – employers generally do not appreciate feeling “pressured” to hire someone by receiving unsolicited calls from references.

7. Resist "name dropping" - it is generally advisable to provide references only after they are requested by the prospective employer.

8. Follow up – advise your references of the status of your job application and thank them for their help.

As a final note, only include "legitimate" references. Be mindful that during the employment process, a job applicant's credentials will be under close scrutiny. Thus, bogus references from family members, friends, and co-workers will more than likely be "sniffed out". Why risk a rejection over such a dubious tactic?

Jack