Career Management Alliance Blog

Given all you have to do to manage your career, it’s easy to think about obtaining references as a minor task. How hard could it be? Don’t I just ask people who like me if I can put their names on a list? And really, when it comes right down to it, don’t employers take the list you submit with a big grain or two of salt?

Today, references really count. Paul William Barada, Jr. is an expert in this field. His book contains many horror stories of organizations embarrassed, even sued, because they didn’t check an applicant’s references well.

Let’s explore how choosing and presenting your references well can give you an edge in today’s tight job market. We’ll also deal with how to select these valuable supporters when your job search is confidential.

Definitions are always a good starting point: good references have seen you solve problems related to your career field. Most people naturally think of their boss, or their coworkers, as references. But that option is foreclosed in confidential job searches. Who else would know your work at first hand?

Customers, particularly external customers, and vendors make wonderful references. Your job was to help them solve problems, for which they are grateful. You can defuse any concern you’re getting ready to leave by telling them this is part of your personal, professional development program and you would never leave them unsupported. In today’s mobile society, most people understand completely the need to be on the lookout for better opportunities.

You can also relieve many concerns by telling your references you are not asking them to recite a list of glowing adjectives about you. Rather, you just want them willing to take a few phone calls, answer any questions a potential employer asks them, but to concentrate on the problems you worked on together. Help them by giving them a copy of your résumé and cover letter.

Most companies want three to five professional references. Let’s help the interviewer by going beyond the usual information: the reference’s name, title, company worked for, business address, phone numbers, and personal email addresses (if the reference agrees to provide it). Add a line or two that describes your professional relationship and the length of time you’ve known one another. In additional to helping interviewers tailor their questions, it’s a powerful way to let employers know you could bring a network of good customers with you.

Don’t worry if your references aren’t geographically close to the companies you target. Very low phone rates remove any barrier to making a long distance call. To help the interviewer, you may want to include the time zone in which the references live—particularly if they are several times zones away.

Please do not include personal references. They cannot give the employer information they need and will send the unintended message that you don’t understand the hiring process. As interviewers speak with your professional references, your key personal traits will be obvious…and in the context of your profession.

There is no need to send your list of references with your cover letter or résumé. Just have the list ready before any interview. And please, don’t take valuable space on your résumé by ending with the trite “References available on request.” No employer has ever met an applicant who claimed not one soul could say a good word about him.

Finally, don’t stop your search for references once you are hired. Periodically review your list. Can your references speak about your recent work? Are their others who have seen a different skill you have mastered?

References provide much of the proof that supports your résumé, cover letter, and interview, with the added unique benefit of a supporting relationship so valuable in the uncertainty of the job search.

Posted by Don Orlando

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