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.
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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
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us on Facebook!
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Media
Contact:
Jeff
Shane
Jeff@AllisonTaylor.com
800-890-5645 toll-free USA/Canada
+1-248-672-4200 direct-dial
AllisonTaylor.com
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