Preparing and Obtaining Your Job References for Your New Job and Career

You should know that an important final step in completing your job search and resume preparation steps is to identify real and potential job references.

A job reference is someone who can and will vouch for your capabilities, skills, capabilities and most importantly personal integrity.

Job references are typically people who have been your instructors and coaches at school, your supervisors and co-workers and of course previous employers. Do not forget as well the supervisors or co- workers you worked along with in volunteer as well as paid work.

Several factors come in play here

First of all always ask a person a person personally if you can use them as a reference.

This cannot be overstated in importance.

Nothing is worse for your job prospects than a potential employer phoning a reference on your list to have the reference stammer and wing it on the fly.

As well you can qualify that the person you are asking to provide a reference actually thought of you and your skills highly and will provide a good reference for you as well as a good personal impression.

A person asked to be a reference can actually be your best proponent actually looking for jobs for you.

How were they to know that you are looking for a new job? They may think that you are a marvelous asset to any organization and may actually search out job positions for you.

Identify people who can and are willing to confirm (from firsthand observation) your good performance on the job, in school, or in other activities.

Employers often want at least three job references, listed on application forms.

Try to vary your reference types and positions as well. For example if possible it may not be best to have all three references from one particular job. In that case at least try to have different levels of authority,

For example – one reference from a direct supervisor, one from human resources and one from training.

It is best to have a variety of reference types.

For example if the job position is a entry level position in a new chosen industry for you where you have no track record try for 3 references - one to show that you are a dedicated employee - a former employer, one to show that you were a reliable employee – an older job or perhaps a respected person or outside source and a third from your bank manager to show that you are a person of credibility.

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You must ask this person or persons personally if you could kindly use them as a job reference.

Remember it cannot be overstressed.

Relatives or classmates are not appropriate for references. The more references that you have available the better prepared you are for your current or future job campaigns.

If you are qualified to work in two different fields, such as retail sales and accounting. You will get best results by having one set of references, targeted for each of the two fields, or a total of six references (three in the sales field and the accounting field). Some organizations ask for different types of references. For example, an employer may ask for personal references as well as professional references.

Do employers check references or not?
That is a good question.

Some job seekers will use fake references.
I am sure you have read news stories as well as seen movies where some people have risen to great heights using fraudulent references and qualifications.

While it is true that sometimes you may get away with it you can be assured if caught your chance at getting that job will be finished and indeed the word may spread and you may find it difficult to get any good job at all in your area.

Some employers and job screeners check references and some do not. It is like anything else.

It is also a test of a future employer for you. Are they thorough or slipshod? You be the judge.

Preparing and checking your job references thoroughly is a very important final step in completing your job search and resume preparation steps.

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Bill Piker Senior Employment / Financial Counsellor Ace-Training Net www.winnipegjobshark.com www.ace-training.net