Questions?
Call (800) 890-5645
Do You Know What Your Former Boss Will Say About You?

Press Room

5 Simple (Yet Crucial) Steps to Manage Your References

Take Personal Control of Your Career Game Plan

DETROIT (July 15, 2013) - As a job seeker, you know that it will only be a matter of time before a prospective employer begins checking your employment references. While a majority of employers still make this check the last order of business, an increasing number are conducting them "up front" so as to spare their management from interviewing candidates whose references are less than favorable. Simply put, it behooves you to conduct due diligence with references early on to ensure they truly "have your back."

Having said this, note that about half of all references that get checked receive an assessment of mediocre-to-poor, according to Allison & Taylor Reference Checking Inc. It's is very possible that the terrific job you lost out on had nothing to do with your lack of skills, or being overqualified, but instead had more to do with what one of your references or past employers said about you.

So, you would be well advised to take more control of your career momentum by finding out precisely what each of your potential references will say about you. When you know who is going to say what about you, you can pass on your best references with greater confidence. Also, you may well have the opportunity to prevent your negative references from offering up negative commentary about you.

Here are five key ways to ensure that your chosen references will be an asset, not a liability:

1. After making a preliminary list of prospective references, narrow it down to key contenders. After you have made your initial reference list, select those that you feel will be most willing to give you an excellent report. A typical list of references should include five to ten names, depending on the amount of experience a candidate has accumulated.

2. Contact each reference personally. Send each reference a note (visiting them personally, if possible, is even better) stating that you are seeking new employment and asking them if they would be willing to serve as a reference. Be sure to share with them your current resume and let them know of the position you are applying for, as well as the type of qualities the company is likely seeking. Give them the impression that their reference is critical to your obtaining the job.

Also, review your past responsibilities and remind them of tangible successes you achieved with them/the company. Review with each reference what they will say in response to questions regarding your strengths and weaknesses. Try to learn what your references are going to say about you.

3. Communicate with your references at "crunch time." When a specific offer is imminent, let your references know the company involved and that you will be using them as a

reference. They will feel more comfortable giving out information about you or to return a prospective employer's call in a more timely fashion if you have forewarned them ahead of time.

4. Follow-up with your references. When you get your new position, make sure you call each reference and thank them for the role they played. Going forward, keep them posted about your career -- they will appreciate your staying in touch and will be more likely to serve as a reference once again at a later date.

5. Check your references professionally. Beware leaving the impact of your references to chance. If you are not 100% convinced that your references and past employers will relay positive comments about you to prospective employers, have them checked out. A professional employment verification and reference-checking firm can either put your mind at ease, or supply you with the critical information and evidence that has been blocking your job searching efforts.

# # #

About AllisonTaylor:

AllisonTaylor and its principals have been in the business of checking references for corporations and individuals since 1984. AllisonTaylor is headquartered in Rochester, Mich. For further details on services and procedures please visit http://www.allisontaylor.com/.

AllisonTaylor -- Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!

Media Contact:

Jeff Shane

Jeff@AllisonTaylor.com

800-890-5645 toll-free USA/Canada
+1-248-672-4200 direct-dial

AllisonTaylor.com

Back to Press Room




Live Help

Speak with one of our
Job Reference Specialists.

Order Now

FREE E-Book!
E-Book: References are Key to Job Offers

If the below fields are visible, ignore them.


Accept Terms?
Pinpointe Pixel

New Service
Video interviewing is the wave of the future. What will HR professionals say about your video interview?

Find Out Now

Job Reference, Background Checking & Employment Verification Services
Job Reference, Background Checking & Employment Verification Services
About Us | Timeliness | FAQ | Reference Checking Services | Contact Us | Affiliates | Blog | Media

The nation's leading provider of employment verification and reference checking since 1984.

© 1999 - 2024 Allison & Taylor Reference Checking

145 South Livernois Road
Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307 USA

Credit card logos

Call us toll free (800) 890-5645

Privacy Policy | Questions or Comments

Job Reference, Background Checking & Employment Verification Services

The material provided on this site is meant to be informative or illustrative. No description, language or communication provided or stated on this site is intended to provide legal advice or is to be construed as providing any legal opinion or conclusion, or advice of legal rights regarding any matter, including past, present or future claims or causes of action, under federal or any state law.

No link, reference or referral made by Allison & Taylor constitutes a guaranty, warranty or representation of the quality or professional standard of any services rendered or to be rendered.