To maximize your chance of getting the job you have interviewed for, you need to put some thought into the selection process of your references. We have previously discussed 4 steps you need to keep in mind while preparing for a reference check.
In this post we provide you three articles that help to refine the process of getting the best references together for your next job.
How to Choose the Right References
One of the biggest mistakes jobseekers make is failing to understand how incredibly important references are, to the hiring process. References provide an accurate, third-party assessment of your strengths and weaknesses so managers can hire knowing full information. As a job candidate, you must therefore be thoughtful and strategic about both whom you ask, and how you prepare them to speak on your behalf. Besides insights from industry professionals, this insightful article also gives you 2 useful case studies to give you more perspective on the importance of selecting the right references.
Get the Best Job References You Can
It’s a good sign when a prospective employer asks you for references. It usually means you’re a finalist for the job. It’s often one of the last steps employers make before making the offer.
How important are those references? It varies from company to company. For many employers a weak reference may not cost you the job, but a strong one can help you nail it. Prospective employers want to know about your strengths and weaknesses, your work ethic, whether you’re easy to work with and how you deal with adversity. Select someone who has shown a positive feeling about those things, possibly a person who has conducted your regular performance evaluation.
Who should I choose as my references?
Almost 60% of employers claim that they have had to withdraw an offer of employment after receiving poor references about successful applicants. So, just because you have managed to wow your future employer at interview stage and convinced them that you are the best person for the job, it does not mean that you can get away with poorly prepared references. References act as a third party endorsement – they are used by hiring managers as reassurance that you are who you say you are and will do for them what you claim you have done for your previous employers. Therefore, given the high number of rejections, it is important to prepare your references properly. Refer to this article for some useful pointers.
