“Finding References That Sing Your Praises” Written by Debra Williams Presented by Lee Raynes

Introduction Will be checked Will be checked Ask permission from your reference Ask permission from your reference Are they comfortable giving a reference? Are they comfortable giving a reference? Verify information Verify information Coach your references Coach your references Keep them informed Keep them informed Choose them based on job requirements Choose them based on job requirements Don’t name drop Don’t name drop

Will be checked The misconception is that references won’t be checked The misconception is that references won’t be checked Most companies will check references during the hiring process Most companies will check references during the hiring process

Ask Permission from your reference Besides being courteous, asking permission eliminates many problems such as: Besides being courteous, asking permission eliminates many problems such as: If they don’t want to be a reference If they don’t want to be a reference They might not even remember you They might not even remember you Doing this, you’ll know who can and will vouch for you. Doing this, you’ll know who can and will vouch for you.

Are they comfortable giving a reference? Its not necessarily what the reference says about you, its how they say it. Its not necessarily what the reference says about you, its how they say it. If someone sounds a little hesitant If someone sounds a little hesitant Give them another option Give them another option Such as writing a letter of reference for you Such as writing a letter of reference for you

Verify information The phone numbers, job titles, company names and addresses need to be correct The phone numbers, job titles, company names and addresses need to be correct A list of references that can’t be contacted is frustrating A list of references that can’t be contacted is frustrating Type up the information in a professional manner Type up the information in a professional manner Always have the list ready to present at an interview or when applying for a job Always have the list ready to present at an interview or when applying for a job

Coach your references Talk to your references for about minutes: Talk to your references for about minutes: About your job goals, outline the qualities and skills you’re emphasizing in your job search About your job goals, outline the qualities and skills you’re emphasizing in your job search Give them a copy of your resume Give them a copy of your resume Some employers will ask the reference for another person to talk to Some employers will ask the reference for another person to talk to So discuss a mutual contact with your reference So discuss a mutual contact with your reference

Keep them informed Update your references on how your search is progressing Update your references on how your search is progressing Tell them how your interview went Tell them how your interview went Inform them about: Inform them about: The requirements of the job The requirements of the job Refresh their memory about your qualifications Refresh their memory about your qualifications Skills that you’ve demonstrated in the past Skills that you’ve demonstrated in the past

Choose them based on job requirements Make a list of all references Make a list of all references Chose about two or three from each previous job Chose about two or three from each previous job Under each name, list job skills and work characteristics that they will know Under each name, list job skills and work characteristics that they will know Rotate this list based on what skills you want to spotlight for each job Rotate this list based on what skills you want to spotlight for each job If your job search is very active If your job search is very active Rotate your references to give them a break Rotate your references to give them a break

Don’t Name drop List only references that are well acquainted with your work List only references that are well acquainted with your work Don’t name drop a president of a company instead of someone who was a direct supervisor Don’t name drop a president of a company instead of someone who was a direct supervisor If you new job is for a supervisor position If you new job is for a supervisor position List a former subordinate of yours List a former subordinate of yours

Consider a reference check a good sign If the employer has reached your references, then they consider you a viable option If the employer has reached your references, then they consider you a viable option Its often one of the last steps before a job offer is extended Its often one of the last steps before a job offer is extended

End Any questions? Any questions?