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.