Eight Ways to Manage the Reference Process
Learning how to use your references properly is an important aspect of the entire job
search process. The following checklist will help get you thinking in the right direction.
1. Never provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your references on
your resume or employment applications. You always want to meet with prospective
employers first before providing them with any reference information.
2. Do not bring a list of your references with you to job interviews and offer them to
the interviewer at the conclusion of an interview. After you interview for a position
that interests you, you need to give careful thought to the best person to offer as a
reference.
3. Try not to lose track of former employers, supervisors, and colleagues. If you have
lost touch with some people, you may want to track them down early in your job
search process so that you can reconnect with them to jog their memories about you,
reestablish a connection, and give accurate reference information. If you haven’t
worked with your contact person in a while, give them a current copy of your
resume and an overview of your current career goals.
4. Be creative about your reference choices. While direct supervisors are often useful
choices (assuming, of course, that you had a good relationship with that person),
other people can speak to different dimensions of your performance, including
clients/customers, suppliers/vendors, co-workers, and even subordinates.
5. After you have interviewed for a position that interests you, contact your references
again to ask permission to provide them as a contact person and give them an
update on the position and the company that will be calling them. This information
will allow your references to tailor their comments. Also, be sure to verify contact
information, including telephone number, e-mail address, and best contact times.
6. When preparing your list of references for potential employers, provide some background
details as to how you know each reference and the information they can
confirm, as well as their name, telephone number, e-mail and physical addresses,
and job title.
7. Reference lists are professional documents. They should always be typed and professionally
formatted, preferably in a font and style that is consistent with your
resume. If you send this information via e-mail, send it as an attachment so that it
will look more professional.
8. After you have received and accepted a job offer, send each of your references a
thank-you card to tell them about your success and express your appreciation to
them for their help.
