Don’t miss the opportunity to sell yourself by providing a reference WITH your resume!

• Get rid of the line “References available upon request”. That is a given.
• Include your references WITH YOUR RESUME. This allows an employer to learn more about you as they are making their decision which pile your resume goes in. Enclose ONE reference letter and your list of 2-3 names of references on a separate page. I find this very helpful when sorting resumes.
• When listing former employers, the relationship between you and the reference will be obvious. Include their full name, position, company, phone number and email if you can.
• Personal references should be listed as such. These are not people you have worked for. List the same information and include an evening phone number if they should not be taking personal calls at their place of work.
• Supplying references up front may mean the interviewer recognizes someone or knows them and may give them a call to find out more about you.
• In all cases you should have their permission in advance. Let them know what kind of work you are looking for, so they are prepared.
• Your work reference does not have to be the “big boss”. If a supervisor can better address your strengths, use that person.
• If you have just had a good interview and you know your reference will get a call, give them a heads-up with details of the job. If they happen to be on vacation when you call, it is best you know that and can update your interviewer with a different name perhaps.
• Don’t continue to use the same reference for years without verifying that they still work for the company.

Other “Reference” Tips

• Google your name and see what comes up. You might be surprised. Many employers are doing this and finding some interesting results. It could be a copy of a letter to the editor of your local paper or any article in which your name is mentioned, etc. Unfortunately once it is there, you can’t do anything about it, but you should know what is available on the web with a name search.
• Facebook searches bring about interesting results as well. Those party pics don’t go over so well with a prospective employer. Ensure your Facebook page is set to “Private” but keep in mind that any of your “friends” who have tagged you in a pic may not have a private page.
• If you had a bad experience with a former boss, you may want to list a colleague or different supervisor instead. Always know what they would say about you BEFORE you supply their name.
• References are often the key to a job offer. You may have a great interview but if your references are not good, then a job offer will not follow. Choose them carefully.