References are something you should think about at the
beginning of your interview process and not just at the end
when you are under immediate pressure to provide them.
Start by making a list of all the possible people you can use
as a reference. Be sure to think about:
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Former employers
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Former Clients
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College professors
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Deans
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Family friends who have seen you in a professional setting
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Association leaders
It is fine if a reference no longer works for the company
where you were employed together or if they live in another
city. It is more important that the individuals you choose know
you well enough, have experience working with you, and are
willing to vouch for you. In short, you are looking for anyone
who can communicate your experience, skills, integrity,
professionalism, and can-do attitude to any potential employer.
Once you have a list of approximately five potential
references you need to:
1. Ask them for permission. Be sure to keep thorough notes of
when you contacted them and what their response was.
2. Ask for their preferred means of contact whether it is by
personal or office phone, or if they would rather be contacted
via e-mail.
3. Discuss the following likely questions with your potential
references, so that you know what they are going to say and
there are no surprises. You can tell them what points you are
aiming to reinforce with the employers who might contact them
and more than likely they will happy for the input.
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What was your relationship with the candidate?
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What responsibilities did she perform in her position with
the company?
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Why did she leave that position?
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What are her strengths?
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What are her weaknesses?
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What was her approximate salary?
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Would you hire or work with this person again?
It is also a good practice to keep a folder of references and
commendations for a job well done that you augment throughout
your career. Get into the habit of asking for a letter of
reference from someone who you have worked with who might be
moving on and ask that person if they would be willing to serve
as a verbal reference as well. This is certainly something to
keep in mind if you are or have worked as an intern where the
big payoff is more likely to be in experience gained and
contacts made than in money earned.
Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the Workplace
Contributor on ABC's Good Morning America. Connect with her at
www.womenforhire.com
