References

References
Editor's Note
Once an employer is interested in your candidacy, he will ask for references. This is part of the due diligence that precedes a job offer. This section will help you navigate this process, from asking someone to be a reference to informing him that he may receive a phone call imminently. Following are some key points you should consider in relation to employment references: Who should you ask to be a reference? This may sound obvious, but you should ask someone that you know will give you a good reference. That person will probably be your direct supervisor or someone who oversaw your work in some capacity. Call that person and ask if he is open to being your reference. Pay attention to how he responds as you ask him. Did this person work closely with you? There are many factors that you need to consider, one of them being whether your reference will be able to answer basic questions about your work. For instance, if you had a direct supervisor at your prior job and chose not to have him act as your reference, that may raise some suspicions. Will this person be in position to answer questions about your qualifications and interpersonal skills? Same as above, but here we also emphasize your interpersonal skills, in addition to your qualifications. Is this person busy or often out of town? If you know that someone will be on vacation, business trip or extended leave, you may consider asking someone else to be your reference, unless you work out an arrangement with that person so that he will be available on a as needed basis. Is this person diligent in answering calls? Some people are just bad at answering or returning calls. It's not so much that they are in bad faith, but that they are disorganized. You don't want their bad work ethics to impact your job search. How should you go about when asking someone to be your reference? It depends on your relationship with that person. If you're confident about that person, an email may be enough. If you're not so sure, you may want to give him a phone call or drop by his office and ask in person. Should you provide the person you are asking to be your reference with information? You should provide the person you ask to be your reference with some background about the position you are seeking and a copy of your latest resume. That person will be curious about your job search and will want to have some basic questions addressed. It is also a good idea to provide that person with some background so that he can tailor his answers to give relevant feedback. Should you keep your reference updated with regard to the status of your job search? Definitely. As a matter of courtesy, you should keep that person in the loop, whether or not you land the job. Should you state your references in your resume? That is not necessary, unless the job posting expressly asks for references upfront. Normally, employers will only ask for references at the job interview.

Editor's Note

Once an employer is interested in your candidacy, he will ask for references. This is part of the due diligence that precedes a job offer. This section will help you navigate this process, from asking someone to be a reference to informing him that he may receive a phone call imminently.

Following are some key points you should consider in relation to employment references:

Who should you ask to be a reference? This may sound obvious, but you should ask someone that you know will give you a good reference. That person will probably be your direct supervisor or someone who oversaw your work in some capacity. Call that person and ask if he is open to being your reference. Pay attention to how he responds as you ask him.
Did this person work closely with you? There are many factors that you need to consider, one of them being whether your reference will be able to answer basic questions about your work. For instance, if you had a direct supervisor at your prior job and chose not to have him act as your reference, that may raise some suspicions.
Will this person be in position to answer questions about your qualifications and interpersonal skills? Same as above, but here we also emphasize your interpersonal skills, in addition to your qualifications.
Is this person busy or often out of town? If you know that someone will be on vacation, business trip or extended leave, you may consider asking someone else to be your reference, unless you work out an arrangement with that person so that he will be available on a as needed basis.
Is this person diligent in answering calls? Some people are just bad at answering or returning calls. It's not so much that they are in bad faith, but that they are disorganized. You don't want their bad work ethics to impact your job search.
How should you go about when asking someone to be your reference? It depends on your relationship with that person. If you're confident about that person, an email may be enough. If you're not so sure, you may want to give him a phone call or drop by his office and ask in person.
Should you provide the person you are asking to be your reference with information? You should provide the person you ask to be your reference with some background about the position you are seeking and a copy of your latest resume. That person will be curious about your job search and will want to have some basic questions addressed. It is also a good idea to provide that person with some background so that he can tailor his answers to give relevant feedback.
Should you keep your reference updated with regard to the status of your job search? Definitely. As a matter of courtesy, you should keep that person in the loop, whether or not you land the job.
Should you state your references in your resume? That is not necessary, unless the job posting expressly asks for references upfront. Normally, employers will only ask for references at the job interview.