References are important part of job search |
| References are important part of job search Posted: 18 Aug 2010 02:24 AM PDT Most job seekers think the reference check is just a formality, but that couldn't be further from the truth. What people say about you can make or break a great job opportunity, regardless of how well your résumé is put together. You may seem like the perfect candidate for that coveted role, but if your reference tells a different story, you may lose your chance at the job, said Wendy Wicks, a career coach and founder of The Resume Works of Pittsford. The problem is it's very difficult to know what people are saying about you without doing a little checking of your own. So before you start interviewing, do some damage control by hiring a reference checking agency to find out what people are saying about you, how they describe your work ethic and how they rate your problem-solving skills. Hiring an unbiased agency allows you to address any negative feedback and gives you the opportunity to handle it professionally, before it comes back to bite you. But this kind of check isn't free. For instance, national firm Allison & Taylor charges $59 to $99 per job. Another option is to go straight to the source. When you get word that you didn't land the gig, follow up with the hiring manager and ask why they decided to go with another candidate. It's a tough conversation to have, but it will help you determine whether your references or something else were part of the problem. If your references were the weak link, start considering other professionals who can evaluate your work. Get references who can talk about your successes and how you've overcome various challenges, Wicks said. Once you come up with a new list, be sure to contact each reference and ask if they're willing to help. You'll want to make sure they're mentally prepared for the questions that come with a reference check and ensure that they aren't surprised by the phone call. While you're at it, be sure to gauge their reaction. Are they eager to help out? If so, that's great. If they seem hesitant, move on to the next name on your list. And even though it may seem like references aren't hard to come by these days with the advent of social media, don't fall prey to the plethora of online "recommendations" on websites like LinkedIn or Facebook. The "friends" may be able to say nice things about you, but can they really evaluate your work history? After all, you want a reference who is up to the job. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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