Selecting the Best Professional References for Your Job Search
All job seekers know about the importance of having a great resume and cover letter, but how are your references looking? Most employers will ask for professional references, particularly if you’ve had a successful interview, so it’s important to have your references prepared ahead of time.
These tips will help ensure that you have the best professional references ready to go for your job search.
Choosing the right format
Some job seekers include professional references at the bottom of their resume, typically as a brief list with names and contact information. However, the best way to present your references is on a separate document or page, with more detail than a name and phone number.
Your reference document should match the visual style and fonts of your resume, and include each reference’s:
– Name and job title
– Employer and business address
– Complete contact information (phone, email)
– Relationship to you
In addition, you can add a brief paragraph that discusses something specific you and the professional reference worked together on, or a skill that the reference can attest you have. This information gives the employer context for your references and helps them start conversations smoothly.
Professional references: Numbers and timing
How many professional references should you have? In general, it’s a good idea to have more references than prospective employers are likely to check. Most job seekers should have at least three-to-four professional references. If you’re seeking a senior position, you should list at least five-to-seven. In addition, make sure to list your strongest references first, as employers are most likely to start at the top of the list and work their way down.
When submitting your professional references, refrain from sending them along with your initial resume or application packet. The best time to give a prospective employer your reference list is when you’re asked for them — most employers won’t check references until you’ve had at least one successful interview. However, you should bring a hard copy of your professional references to all job interviews, as you may be asked for them on the spot.
Choosing the right references
The most effective professional references will be very familiar with you on a working basis, and able to give prospective employers an informed perspective on your skills and qualifications. Many job seekers look to former supervisors or bosses for a professional reference — but this is not always the best choice.
Managers and supervisors often work with many employees, and may not be familiar enough with you on an individual basis to act as an effective reference. What’s more, quite a few companies prohibit supervisors from serving as professional references. The best choices for references are often people who have intimate knowledge of your abilities and strengths — such as co-workers, former clients, college professors, or community leaders.
Keep in mind that professional references are separate from personal references, and you shouldn’t list family, friends, or neighbors as references, due to the perceived bias these relationships contain.
Maintaining relationships with references
It’s crucial to ensure that your professional references will provide a favorable view of you when they’re contacted. This means they must be aware of the expectations for acting as a reference — and of course, that you’re listing them as a reference in the first place. Many candidates fail to inform their professional contacts that they’ve listed their names as references, which can lead to losing job opportunities when employers are unable to speak with them.
During your job search, let your references know that they may be contacted. Be sure to respect their privacy by asking if there’s anything they would like excluded from the reference listing, and keep them in the loop during the interview process. If there’s a specific skill or project you’d like your references to discuss with employers, let them know ahead of time.
Finally, don’t forget to thank your references at the conclusion of your job search. Send a note or thank-you card, and consider reaching out with a small token, such as a gift card — remember that acting as a professional reference takes time, and express your gratitude appropriately.
If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find your next behavioral health position, contact us today at (513) 651-9500 or by email at [email protected].