Home Blog. Here are some things to think about: There are several strong candidates. If the employer has received a large number of applications for a particular position, then the list of candidates invited for an interview can be quite long. Where this is the case, it is not uncommon for an employer to be faced with several strong candidates and decide to use a reference checking service after the interview to simply narrow the field before drawing up a list of candidates to go forward with a second interview.
Your references might not be good enough. You may well be under the impression that the people who are going to provide a reference for you are going to paint you in the best possible light. This may not be the case. Many employers, in particular, will say good things about you, but they will also often balance this by making a note, even if it is only in passing, of your weaknesses.
So, if possible, you should give your references a heads-up to let them know who will be contacting them, and supply them with an updated copy of your resume. Also, consider asking your references to speak to certain skills , such as leadership, reliability, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. Recent research from the Society for Human Resource Management SHRM found that employers care more about these particular soft skills than they do technical abilities like reading comprehension or mathematics.
Even though you think you were a great employee, your past manager may not feel the same way. Your references are doing you a big favor. Take a few minutes to write them a thank-you email or handwritten letter. The job search doesn't have to trip you up at every turn—but there are a whole lot of turns to contend with. Prevent unnecessary headaches by starting off on the right foot.
Meaning, get your resume in shape. Not only will a strong resume impress hiring managers, it'll also show your potential references what you've accomplished so far in your career. Need some help making sure you're giving them something to talk about? Knowing when employers usually contact references and who you can use as a reference can help you make this part of the hiring process smoother. In this article, we explain when hiring managers contact references, who to use as a reference and how to ask someone to be your reference.
Employers typically contact references toward the end of the hiring process. They narrow down their candidate pool to just a few choices, giving them time to contact each reference.
They use these references to help them decide between the last few candidates and ensure they hire the right person for the job. Employers could ask for references at any point in the hiring process. It's usually helpful to prepare a list of references when you first start looking for jobs so you can offer it whenever the employer asks.
This shows that you're prepared and eager to get the job. A reference is someone willing to personally vouch for a candidate's performance. A reference can be just about anyone, although some are better options than others. Some possible reference options include:. Who candidates can use as references usually depends on where they are in their careers. For example, someone just starting out may rely on high school teachers and coaches, while someone with decades of experience will use former managers.
To get a positive reference from someone, use these tips:. When the option is available, choose professional references over personal ones. For job applications, future employers would prefer to hear a reference from a past employer rather than a family member, teacher or friend. Even if it has been a while since working at that job, or if the job only lasted a short time, a professional reference is still better than a personal one.
If more than a few references are available, choose the ones that best relate to the job you're applying for. Using more relatable references can help employers better understand how you work in a particular job or field. For example, a reference from a previous manager in the same field is usually better than one from a different industry. Before submitting someone as a reference, it's important to get their approval. Some people may not know you well enough to provide a good reference, while others want some time to prepare.
When asking anyone to be a reference, do so well ahead of time. People are busy and often want plenty of time to prepare a good reference. Another consideration is how you ask them. It's usually better to ask them over the phone or in person. Asking someone to be a reference is a personal favor, so try to do it in the most personal way that you can.
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