One element of the hiring process that hasn’t gone completely digital these days is the professional reference. Two people are going to talk about you at your request and what they discuss matters. Just like you can win a job in the interview room, you can lose one during the reference check.
When potential employers do a reference check, the expectation is the feedback will be positive (why else would you provide the reference?). If a hiring manager speaks to one of the references you provide and the conversation begins with, “I don’t know why [insert your name here] would give me as a reference,” then you’re in trouble. It shows you didn’t contact the reference, which is lazy, and that you lack good judgment because you’ve left yourself open to negative feedback. Loose lips sink ships and, in this scenario, you are the ship.
1. Do Personal Job References Matter?
Yes. References are your opportunity to present your best professional self through the praise of professional peers. Every reference should be a home run. Your potential employer wants to hear about how great you are and the game is rigged in your favor. It should be an easy test to pass. Not passing matters.
2. Do Potential Employers Really Check The References?
More often than not, yes, so expect references to be checked. Whether it’s perfunctory or a deep dive, your references will be checked. Many online job applications include sections for references and you’re not even able to submit the resume until you fill it in. That’s not an accident. Be just as diligent about your reference’s contact information as you would proofread your resume. Make sure everything is up to date.
3. Should I Automatically Provide References To An Employer?
No. If you’re not required to provide references on a written application or online submission, you may, but are not required, to provide references. However, it does not hurt to include the perfectly acceptable “References available upon request.” That signals your willingness (a good sign) but you can defer to the employer’s requirements.
4. How Do I Line Up References?
Your goal is to know your reference will provide positive feedback so, first and foremost, only choose people who you know will do that. The first line should be any current (if possible) or past partners/managers/supervisors. Nobody is going to complain that your former boss has agreed to be a reference. That telegraphs confidence in the outcome and should be followed by a glowing reference (see #1). If for whatever reason you don’t want to reach out to those people, your second line should be co-workers with whom you collaborated the most. Contact your top three and ask them if you may use them as a reference. Unless company policy prohibits providing references most people will agree. Confirm contact information.
5. How Do I Know What A Reference Will Say About Me?
It is your job to know what your references will say about you. If you don’t, you may end up with the dreaded, “I don’t know why [insert your name here] would give me as a reference” or worse. Don’t just ask someone to be a reference. Don’t assume that an agreement to be a reference is the guarantee of a good reference. Have a dialogue with them about what a good reference means. Nobody is going to fault you if you call up an ex-manager and say straight up, “[Insert person’s name here] Will you be a reference for me and I need it to be a good reference.” Something like that should get the dialogue going.
6. Are Reference Letters Useful?
In Europe, letters are more common than in the United States, where as on this side of the Atlantic you should expect a phone call or email to the referring party. The standard list of references is their names and contact info so the recruiter or hiring manager can reach out to them. If someone takes the time to write a reference letter for you that is beyond the call of duty and you can apply it at your discretion. It’s not going to hurt you in any way to use that, but it would be a little bit out of the ordinary. You may consider the language, “Reference Letter Available Upon Request,” and go from there.
Bonus Career Insider Tip: Reference check calls are typically very straightforward and usually just a few minutes.
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.
