Five Golden Rules of Job Reference Etiquette

It makes good business sense – and is respectful professional etiquette – to stay in touch with your former bosses, says Allison & Taylor, the nation’s oldest professional reference checking firm.

Given the ongoing upheaval in the nation’s job market, your efforts to stay connected with Read more...

How to choose the best references to represent you to potential employers

Simply put, it’s imperative that you, as a job candidate, also take a close look at your references each and every time you make a change to your resume.  Make sure your reference list meets these criteria:

  • Does your reference list reflect the best people to cast you in a positive light to a prospective employer – or could there be someone else who would be a better choice?
  • Are your selected references truly going to give your prospective employers the kudos you’re hoping for? If you’re less than certain that they will, you’d better check them beforehand before they go “live” with your prospective new employer. Have a reference check conducted beforehand to make sure.
  • Do your references have a truly comprehensive knowledge of your skills and abilities, and can they fluently convey this knowledge?
  • Are your references people with whom you’ve stayed in touch, and kept updated on your career moves and successes? Will they be able to provide current information about you to a prospective new employer(s)?

If your reference meets all these criteria, they will be a powerful asset in your hunt Read more...

What To Do When Company Reference Policy Is Not Honored

Seeking new employment in her area, Jennifer was confident her last employer would not be a problem reference. While she hadn’t “parted company” with them on particularly good terms, her understanding was that all they would be allowed to divulge to a prospective employer were her title Read more...