Do Your Job References Help or Hinder Your Chances

Do Your Job References Help or Hinder Your ChancesDo Your Job References Help or Hinder Your ChancesWhile its no longer a common practice to put references available upon request on your resume, you do actually still need to have three to five professional job references ready to speak on your behalf if youre in an active job search.Finding people to say good things about you may sound like an easy task however, choosing people that can speak to your skills and work ethic on a professional level is something that needs to be taken seriously. And once you find these individuals, its also your responsibility to prepare them to speak to potential employers.Follow these tips to align yourself with the best job references1.Select your job references carefully.Dont ask family members to be professional references. Just because you share the same gene pool doesnt mean they know how you operate in the workplace.Choose a past supervisor, current colleague, or another professional in your indu stry.Know somebody in the company youre targeting? If you know them on a professional level, and they have a good standing in the company, see if they would act as a reference or at least give you a recommendation.2. Prepare job references just as carefully.Theres nothing more awkward for a hiring manager than to call a reference and be met with, Oh, John? I didnt even know he was applying for jobs again. badeanstalt move.When approaching a referenceAlways ask people if theyll be a professional reference for you before you put list them on your reference page. Tell them the types of positions youre applying for, and if you can, the names of the companies youre targeting.Once youve been interviewed, your first call should be to each of your references, letting them know who (company representative) would be contacting them, what the position is, and a little bit about what was discussed during your interview.Remind your references of specific achievements or professional wins youve a dded that made a positive impact in past positions. The better you prepare your references, the better theyll be able to speak on your behalf.Dont lose out on a great opportunity because you didnt select appropriate references to help you seal the deal on a new job. Choose who will represent you best, keep them in the loop as to whats going on in your search, and thank them when you get that coveted youre hired phone callReady to find a job and apply? Check out these 25 high-potential flexible jobs for 2016Readers, what are your tips for using job references?Tell us in the comments belowErin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a certified professional resume writer/career consultant, and the president of Professional Resume Services. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 14 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. members receive a special dis count on Professional Resume Services