Last month, a potentially great job candidate lost out on an excellent opportunity–his poor choice of references sunk him.
Although his resume was written perfectly, his skill-set fit the job he was applying for, his phone interview was very successful and the client was anxious to meet him in person, one vital phone call derailed his efforts. You see, the candidate provided the name and phone number of a former supervisor and when I called to check the reference, here’s what I got:
“Ummmm….I’m sorry. Who gave you my name as a reference? …. Hmmmm, can you refresh my memory?…. When did he work here?….. What was his title?”
That was all it took for this candidate to lose out on a great opportunity. Why? Because the phone call made me wonder, “What’s wrong with this candidate that his former boss can’t even remember him?”
Eventually, the job went to a candidate who had similar skills AND glowing references, to boot.
In today’s fiercely competitive job market, candidates need an upper hand in the interview process. Proactively building and then maintaining a list of quality references is vital to job search success.
Here are 10 helpful tips…
WHILE YOU ARE HAPPILY AND GAINFULLY EMPLOYED…
1) Start today: Keep a hard-copy file of all the written praise you receive at your job. This includes print-outs of emails, performance reviews and even hand-written thank you notes.
2) Say good-bye strategically: When a co-worker or higher-up announces a planned departure from your firm, tell him/her how much you have enjoyed your working relationship. Mention that you would love a written refernce note on company stationery before he/she leaves. Do this tactfully, keeping in mind that it is very easy to lose touch with colleagues as the years go by. Make sure you clearly state that you are happy at your job and like to keep up-to-date reference for your files.
3) Get written acknowledgment on your way up: As you are promoted from department to department, be sure to thank your supervisors for their support and ask them to write a brief letter of reference for your files. Let them know that you have no intention of leaving the company and you simply want to document your successes because the future is always so uncertain.
WHEN YOU BEGIN YOUR JOB SEARCH…
4) Ask permission: It is crucial that you contact potential references and feel them out. When you request the favor of a reference, listen closely. If he/she sounds thrilled to help you and enthusiastically asks you what the prospective job entails and ask you how you would like them to respond, then you know you’ve got a professional and willing ally. On the other hand, if they respond to your request with a pause or if they do not engage you in the conversation about your job search, you would be wise to look elsewhere for a more supportive referral. Remember, a ho-hum referral is no better than an awful one.
5) Avoid the old standby, “references available upon request”: I see this every day on resumes — what a waste of ink and space. It is understood and so unnecessary.
6) Protect your privacy: Recruiters are a savvy bunch. They know the risks of making bad hiring decisions and do everything possible to avoid making them. These days, it’s easier than ever for recruiters to check criminal records, Facebook accounts and even the credit ratings of potential new hires. Use this knowledge to your best advantage.
7) Carry references for special cases: Frequently, interview conversations get difficult to navigate. If you are in a situation that warrants further explanation or substantiation, take out your reference letter that speaks to the issue at hand. This will help you defend or enhance your discussion and will also make you look incredibly prepared.
WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR JOB…
8) Don’t burn a bridge: If you feel the need to air your frustrations with your boss or slam your co-workers on your way out the door, you may be spiting yourself. Will you need these people to help you in future job searches? Probably! It is almost always better to bite your tongue, wish your supervisors and colleagues well and let them know that you would like to keep in touch. Better yet, ask them to write you a letter of recommendation for your files, before you leave. If the company has a policy against employee references, request a personal recommendation or character reference instead.
9) Ask your firm how they will respond to reference checks: During your exit interview, discuss this subject in detail. Find out about your company’s policy. Does your firm limit or deny these discussions or do they allow employees to engage in reference checks? If you have any concerns about how your current employer will describe you, get them to agree to limiting their feedback to title and hiring date confirmations only.
WHEN YOU LAND A NEW JOB…
10) Say “Thanks”: In business, you must never overlook the opportunity to show your appreciation to the people who are willing and able to help you. When a colleague provides a reference, be sure to send a heart-felt note and/or a small gift. And keep your referring colleagues abreast of your personal and professional happenings. Perhaps best of all, find a meaningful way to return their kindness.
Done right, your references can provide a powerful competitive advantage during the interview process. Do you have any strategies or tips for securing favorable job references?
This is a tough one.The primary raosen that people are terminated from a job is in not getting along with co-workers. My feeling is that the people who are going to hire you like you in the first few minutes (first interview) but when they spend more time with you, they find things about you that will be problematic with the group you’d work with.As a former owner of several companies, I had similar issues in hiring people. Things that would be the kiss of death for a potential employee (and I never told them this) were: someone who smokes (too much time outside), too talkative (too much time wasted), too much of a know-it-all (destroys team spirit), too much pontificating of a religious belief), and others.You need to take a hard look at yourself and see if you have any abrasive qualities, anything that would get on the nerves of people after they have been around you for more than the first interview. It’s likely that you won’t be able to recognize these yourself. In that case, ask a friend someone who will be brutally honest with you. It’s my guess that the problem will be revealed if you do this. Once you know the problem, it’s up to you to take steps to solve it.Or, maybe you will soon find a place that’s the perfect fit for you. Good luck.