5 Ways references can cost you a job
Sometimes the best resume, smartest cover letter, or even the strongest interview skills are not enough to persuade an employer to hire you. To get a job, you also need people who can sing your praises and people who can attest that you are a star employee. Put simply: You need professional references.
Unfortunately, in many cases references are often an afterthought for job seekers, which is a major mistake in your job search. For example, many years ago I was recruiting in Sydney (it was Christmas time so I will never forget this!) and I was just about to make a very senior placement with a key client. The job seeker sent me his references and I proceeded to call them. The first one was average, which made me a little nervous, but the second reference was horrendous. The person had nothing good to say about the applicant and the comments were not nasty, just brutally honest.
I could not ignore this, and I spoke with the applicant about both references. One of his first mistakes was not advising either referee (even though I asked him to) that they had been used as a reference. His second and most critical mistake was failing to confirm that they could provide a positive yet balanced review of his work. They couldn’t, and needless to say this person was not offered the job.
To ensure your references present you in the best possible light, make sure you do the following.
Step # 1: Ask the person for permission to list them as a reference
Asking if someone will be a reference for you might sound like a basic step, but you would be surprised at how many job seekers forget to do it. Many people just assume that a person is happy to provide a reference, but you should never assume. Always ask, then touch base to advise them that they will be called. It’s simply common courtesy.
Step # 2: Think about whether you are asking the right people to be your reference
No doubt your mum thinks you’re a superstar and your BFF would have your back no matter what, but alas, you can’t use friends and family members as references. After all, you’re looking for people who can speak to not only your personality, but also to your career skills, achievements and work ethic.
You will need to provide the name of someone who you worked for directly and who can give a good overview of your skills and experience. Giving the name of someone you worked with or someone who worked for you is not enough, as they would not have been privy to your detailed KPIs and many possible achievements in your role.
If you’re going to use a previous boss as a reference, though, first check to see whether the person is allowed to talk about your job performance. Some companies have policies that only let managers confirm a past employee’s job title and dates of employment, so be sure to double check this when you speak with them.
Step # 3: Prepare your references
Many recruiters and hiring managers will let you know in advance when they are going to contact your references. So, if possible, you should give your references a heads-up to let them know who will be contacting them and to supply them with an updated copy of your resume.
Pro tip: Share the job description with your references, so they can gain a good sense of the position you’re applying for.
Depending on how long it’s been since you held the job, you may have to refresh the person’s memory about specific projects you worked on or results you delivered that can be used as talking points.
Also, consider asking your references to speak to certain skills, such as leadership, reliability, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Many employers care more about these particular ‘soft skills’ than they do technical abilities like reading comprehension or mathematics.
Step # 4: List someone who will give you a fair but positive review
This relates to my personal experience above. Even though you think you were a great employee, your past manager may not feel the same way.
Therefore, if you are even the slightest bit unsure of where you stand, ask your references ahead of time what they will say about you. If they don’t plan on flattering you, take them off your references list and move on to the next person.
Step # 5: Say thank you
Your references are doing you a big favour. They’re not only investing their time for you, but they’re also putting their own reputation on the line, so take the time to send a quick text or email of gratitude. It is a small gesture but it will go a long way.
Eva Grabner
Managing Director
Elite Executive Pty Ltd
www.eliteexecutive.com.au
Cairns | Brisbane
Eva has been working in the executive and professional recruitment industry for nearly 15 years. She is a highly professional and driven Managing Director and Principal Recruiter with a wealth of recruitment experience across a multitude of industries. Her previous experience includes executive leadership and senior management-level operational roles throughout the world. What stands out as soon as you meet her is her passion for what she does. She is a proud Cairns local and solo parent to her son, Kai.
