Must know trends on using referees during your job search

Referees can literally make or break your application!  So to ensure you stay abreast with current trends, here are my top tips for using referees/references during your job search.

Number One – Don’t insert referee details in your resume

It is no longer necessary to include referees in the modern Australian résumé, unless specifically requested upfront by the employer.

If referees are not requested in the initial stages, just add ‘Referees available upon request’, within your résumé, or leave this space blank – I usually, but not always do the later.  (Just remember if it is a government job, you will have to submit your referee details along with your application, if these are requested on the application pack).

The purpose of the resume, at least at this stage of the job search process, is to generate enough interest to get you called in for an interview. By listing references on your resume, you just give the recipient of your resume another opportunity to screen you OUT before you even have a chance to sell yourself in person.  This tip extends to NOT attaching written references to your application (save these for the interview).

Now the downside of not including referees within your resume is that some employer’s might think you are hiding something.  However in my experience, it is usually better to not provide them within the résumé, as increasingly employers are accepting that it is not necessary to provide referee contact details up front.  Plus if you generate sufficient interest in your resume, you will be invited to interview AND have complete control over employer access to your referees!

Number Two – Selecting and using referees

Ensure that your referees have supervised or managed you in a work capacity.  Although traditionally a personal referee would be included, such a practice is long gone, so you would be wasting your time, providing personal referees.  Remember, while your best friend, or family member may give you glowing reviews, an employer or selection panel member will not take these references seriously (I mean you are in serious trouble, if they are don’t say wonderful things about you!).

If you are unable to provide work related referees, than the alternatives are:

• Someone who has supervised you in a volunteer role.
• A former client who can comment on your capacity in the workplace (this is useful if you are transitioning from a business you owned to returning to paid employment).
• If you are a graduate, then a lecturer or tutor who can comment on your academic performance or performance during a practical module.

Number Three – Get permission and keep them up to date

Get prior permission from your referee.  This one might seem obvious, but countless candidates fail to contact their referee and ask if it is OK to use them as a referee on an application.   To get references, simply ask!

Ensure that your referees are aware of the positions that you are applying for.  That way they have advance notification that they will be contacted in regards to a role and avoids the ‘surprise’ value.

Number Four – Get glowing references

Try to ensure your referees are going to give you a positive recommendation.  Not all referees are created equal and not all referees will necessarily give you a glowing report.  If you are in the position where you can choose your referees, then you should consider the following:

• Are they articulate and have the gift of the gab.  Or rather can they really sell you as the right person for the position?
• Are they easily contactable and reliable in regards to returning telephone calls, or completing comprehensive written reports?
• Will they be providing recommendations to other candidates applying for the same role?  If so, how will this impact on your application?
• Have you tested the waters and found out whether they will provide a favourable report?

The direct way to find out is to simply call your referee and ask him or her for advice regarding to your next career move, followed by a question relating to what they believe your strengths are in any future role.  If the conversation doesn’t go well and they can’t think of anything positive in regards to your strengths, then you know early on in the piece, that they probably won’t be giving you a glowing report.

Also keep in mind when selecting your referees that employers could be liable if they provide favourable report that is unwarranted and results in an economic loss suffered by another company, due to a failure to disclose negative information about a former employee.  What this in reality means is that many large corporations instruct employees not to provide comprehensive written references.

Remember that vague and noncommittal references and feedback are worse than none at all (e.g. did the job adequately….) 

Keep in mind that employing people is an expensive exercise, so for employers it is important to hire people that already have what people call ‘social proof’.  That is evidence that you are good and can deliver results, before they hire you.  This means it is extremely important that you have good testimonials and feedback from referees that can substantiate your claims made in your application.