The often forgotten "References" section of your CV can actually be one of the most important
pieces of your CV. If you have maintained a good relationship with your previous employers
and co-workers, they might be able to give you just the boost you need to get the job. However,
they can also ruin your hard work, if they are poorly coached and chosen. Today we are going to
look at how to get the most out of your "References" section to ensure that they give you the
biggest boost possible.
First, make sure you pick the right references. Generally, given the choice between a co-worker
and a supervisor, you should pick the supervisor – but not always. Your old boss gets to throw
more weight behind their reference, but that means they also have more opportunity to drag you
down. So how do you decide if you should use your boss or a co-worker?
Ask yourself, "How much did we like each other?" If you and your boss clearly did not get
along, you do not want to use them as a reference. If they fired you, routinely promoted less
competent folks instead of you, or generally made your life harder than necessary – you don’t
want to use them as a reference. Similarly, if you never really got to know them, they are
probably not someone you want to use as a reference. You want your references to be able to talk
about you at length. If you never said more than a couple words to your old boss, s/he probably
won’t be able to extol your virtues with detail and clarity.
If your boss falls into one of the previously mentioned categories, don’t use them as a reference.
Instead, think of a co-worker with whom you worked really well. If you have the choice between
a great reference from a co-worker, or a mediocre reference from a boss -- go for the great
reference.
Once you have thought of the people you want to use as references, the next step is to call these
people. You want to ask them if it’s okay for you to name them as a reference. If they say yes,
then you want to setup a mock-interview about yourself (there are some question suggestions at
the bottom of the page). Don’t pressure a potentially great reference to mock-interview. But, if
they seem receptive, it can be a great way to see if they’ll be able to follow through and deliver
the stellar reference you need. If they don’t want to run through a mock interview, provide them
a few details that would be good for them to pass on to your interviewer. Give them a copy of
your CV and a list of your accomplishments. This ammo might be all you need to land the job.
A good list of references proves to employers that you have worked well in the past. It puts
human voices to your accomplishments, which makes them far more tangible for your future
employer. Follow these steps and you will have a great list of references, ready to sing your
praises!
List of potential questions for your references:
What is your relationship to the candidate?
How would you describe the candidate’s leadership abilities?
How well does the candidate communicate with others?
How does the candidate react in high pressure situations?
Would you hire the candidate for a similar position? Why or why not?