Don’t let a bad reference destroy your chances of landing the perfect job.
Picture this: You submit your application for a job and actually get a call back. You prepare for the interview and ace not one, but two rounds! The employer tells you that you’re one of the final candidates, and then asks for your references. You scribble down some names and phone numbers on the sheet, already mentally preparing for salary negotiations. And then you never hear back.
That’s what happened to John Harrison* when he interviewed for a position at news station W-CTS* in 2012. One of John’s references, news anchor Nancy Kay*, is a friend of mine. She saw my article on choosing your references and called me with this story. According to Nancy, this is how the reference call went:
W-CTS News Manager: Hello Ms. Kay. I’m Janice* from News Station W-CTS. John Harrison is applying for a job at this station and listed you as a reference.
Nancy Kay: I'm really sorry but I wouldn't be a good a reference for him. Last time I spoke to him was in 2009.
W-CTS News Manager: Oh my. Okay. Wow. Yes, that wouldn't be helpful. I'm really sorry to bother you. Are you still the morning anchor at W-AFC in Florida?
Nancy Kay: (chuckling) No, I left that job in 2009 while John was still an intern there.
W-CTS News Manager: Oh dear! I am really sorry to have bothered you. I can't believe he put you down as a reference, never told you, and listed you with the wrong job. And he was applying for a job that requires a lot of fact-checking! What a waste of our time.
Don’t let this happen to you! Avoid these three mistakes when creating a list of references so you don’t sabotage your job offer.
Mistake #1: The Random Reference
Choose references from your professional life (i.e., leave your mom off the list). Think about former supervisors, colleagues, or people you’ve mentored or managed over the years. If your recent employer has a strict no-reference policy, consider vendors, customers, or former employees of the company you worked with. If you’re new to the workforce, look to relevant professors, your advisors, or people you worked with during internships.
Mistake #2: A Shot from the Dark
A reference is only good if they know who are you are and are willing to be your advocate. That means staying in touch with these people – even if it’s only through a LinkedIn connection and the ‘Happy Holidays’ e-card you send each December. Before you scribble anyone’s name down during an interview, reach out to each person via email or over the phone and get their permission to use them as a reference. Also, find out what contact information they prefer you to use.
Mistake #3: The Call Without Warning
You never want your reference to be caught off guard by a call from a prospective employer. Always give your references a heads up that someone might call, and send them a copy of your most up-to-date resume. Let them know what job you’re interviewing for and what skills or abilities you’re hoping they can highlight based on how you worked with them.
When you properly choose and prepare your references, you can only improve your chances of landing a job. Overlook them, and you could end up like John. Learn from his mistakes so you can avoid this blunder in your own job search.
Click on the following link for more information about choosing your references.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. But I assure you, the story is true.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Question
How can you ask your immediate supervisor or manager (who knows the most about your work and skills) to be your reference when you are secretly looking for another job? Thanks. – K.T.
Answer
In a perfect world, we would all have very good relationships with our bosses, openly communicate with one another and be able to let that person know we’re looking for work while still employed at the company.
Unfortunately, not everyone works in a place where they could tell their boss they’re looking for new work, and still maintain that job during the search. The reality is that if you’re conducting a confidential job search while employed, you most likely won’t be able to use your immediate supervisor as a reference.
So let’s talk about what any job seeker – regardless of their current employment status – should do when identifying and prepping references for the job search.
Target three solid references from people you currently work with (if you have a close relationship with that person and you trust them to keep your search confidential) or have worked with in the past.
This can include: (1) former bosses or people to whom you had a dotted-line reporting relationship, (2) peers, (3) clients or vendors and (4) people you’ve successfully supervised or mentored.
If you are new to the workforce, consider asking for references from college mentors, professors who taught courses relevant to your job goals, fellow students who headed up organizations with which you were actively involved or those who managed you during internships.
Only include references who have insight into your work and capabilities and those you trust to say good things about you and your performance. Remember you don’t need these people to write out letters of recommendation – you need someone who could field a phone call or email from a prospective employer and advocate on your behalf.
Once your contact has agreed to be a reference, you want to do three things:
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Find out what email address and phone number they’d prefer the recruiters use when contacting them.
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Make sure they have the most up-to-date copy of your resume.
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Go through your career history and current goals with them so they understand what you’re targeting and what skill sets you’re most eager to pitch to employers.
If your contact is willing, it doesn’t hurt to have a written reference on file. This can be in the form of a LinkedIn Recommendation, or a written document that appears on the company letterhead where the person works.
Unprepared references can unknowingly hurt your chances of landing the job. Once you have an interview scheduled, make sure you alert your references. Tell them the name of the company, supply them with a copy of the job description (when possible) and explain to them how you meet the core must-haves for the role – this will be good practice for answering the “Tell me about yourself” interview question. When a contact understands what skills or experience you want to highlight, they’ll be in a better position to support you as a reference.
Click on the following link for more information on references.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.