Are your referee’s duds? How referees can make or break your job application.

Why referees can make or break your job application

The most important thing to keep in mind, is that employing people is an expensive exercise for employers, so it is important that they hire people that already have what people call “social proof”, namely evidence that you are good and can deliver the results, before they hire you.

The reason a referee can make or break your application, is that whether consciously or subconsciously, seeing or hearing glowing references can make the employer feel safe about hiring you, and could potentially secure you the role.  Likewise, if you have lousy or indifferent references, then it is unlikely that you will be hired.  Yet in spite of this, most job seekers forget to strategically use referees to their advantage.

To effectively utilise referees to your advantage:

Choose referees carefully

Too often job seekers will randomly select referees, without giving much thought as to whether the referee will necessarily give them a glowing report card or not.  Remember, unless a referee is going to give you a glowing recommendation, they are not worth using, as vague and non-committal references and feedback are worse than none at all e.g. did the job adequately.

When selecting referees always choose them on the basis that they can really sell you as the right person for the position – questions to consider are:

• Are they articulate and have the gift of the gab
• Are they easily contactable and reliable in relation to return telephone calls, and/or completing comprehensive written reports?
• Will they be providing recommendations to the other candidates applying for the same role?  If so, how will this impact on your application?
• Did you establish good rapport with them and are confident that they will provide positive feedback?

Choose referees that have supervised you or managed you in a work capacity

Although traditionally a personal referee would be included, such a practice is long gone.  Also keep in mind that while your best friend, sister, or Uncle Harry might give you glowing reviews, an employer is not going to take these references seriously.

If you are struggling to provide work related referees, alternatives are someone that has supervised you in a volunteer role, a former client who can comment on your capacity in the workplace, or if you are a graduate, then a lecturer, or tutor, that can comment on your performance.

Providing referee details

If applying for roles within the private sector, it is not necessary to include contact details or referees, unless they are requested upfront.  That way, you can control an employer’s access and can monitor the process more effectively.

If applying for roles within the public sector, in most cases, you will need to supply contact details of your referees upfront, otherwise you risk having your application excluded at the discretion of the panel. Referees will always be contacted to ascertain your suitability (either orally, or in writing) and are part of the assessment process and are not just used to confirm your performance prior to appointment.

The strategic use of written references

While the majority of organisations prefer to contact referees directly and obtain feedback in a written report, or orally, you can still strategically use written references in application documents.

• In resumes clip short excerpts from written references.
• Within selection criteria, use a written reference to back up your evidence to a criterion.  But don’t go overboard, just utilise short, sharp and succinct statements that back up the evidence already provided.

Get prior permission from your referee

This one sounds obvious, but it is important to contact a referee and ask if it is OK to use them.  It could be really detrimental to your application if your referee is not aware that you have selected them as your referee.

Managing referees

Like all relationships, it is important to manage and foster your relationship with your referee.

• Keep them up to date with the progress of your job search
• Provide them with a copy of your resume and selection criteria
• If possible get a written reference from them, which can be added to your career portfolio and used to enhance written applications, now and into the future
• Stay in touch, even when you are not proactively job hunting.  By effectively nurturing these relationships, you will maximise your chances of creating a relationship based on respect, which in turn will ensure they provide positive feedback about you as an individual and as an employee