The 8 Best People to Choose as Job References

From Herzog’s book, we compiled some tips that will help you steer clear of the elimination process and into the interview.

• Never make your cover letter or introductory email longer than three paragraphs.
• Don’t put your name and contact info on the side, bottom or back of your resume — they should always be at the top.

Use a separate page for your references list. Put your name and the title “References” on the top of the page, e.g. “John Doe References.” Use consistent formatting for all your references: list their full names, professional titles, companies, and contact information. Include at least three professional references.

• Recent bosses. Current or previous employers speak best about your work ethic.
• Co-workers.
• Professors.
• Friends… but only if they’re a professional reference.
• Group members.
• Any place you’ve volunteered.
• The person you babysat for or whose lawn you mowed every summer.
• High school teacher or coach you still talk to regularly.

References are people who can talk about your work experience, work habits, character and skills. You should choose your references carefully. As part of the job search process, you may be asked to provide the names of people whom a potential employer can contact to find out more about you.

It’s very easy to assume that if you have made it through the initial job interview and your prospective employer is taking up references that you probably got the job. The fact that an employer does a reference check after an interview is certainly a good sign, but don’t rush out and buy the Champagne just yet.

Wait one or two days after your last interview to follow up. Send a note asking what the next steps are. If the recruiter asks for your references after your last interview, this is a good sign you are getting a job offer. Checking references is usually one of the last steps in the hiring process.

What do they want to know? Some of the questions asked when checking references are factual, centering around job title, salary, employment dates, etc. Reference checks are also an opportunity for an employer to get a sense of a candidate’s performance on the job and personal qualities.

For many companies, the reference check is the last step in an extensive hiring process—and they only complete it for their first choice candidate. In other words, they call references after they’ve made a decision about a prospective hire.

If your experience goes well and you are selected as a potential candidate for the job, the next step is to offer you the job. Typically you only get a job offer after reference check, they need to confirm the experience and references you provided in you resume.

Generally, a reference check is conducted towards the end of the interview process. If a job applicant has had an interview but hasn’t been offered a post, an employer may ask to conduct a reference check to make a decision between top candidates.

It shouldn’t be and here’s why: | Xelerate. In most cases after a verbal offer is made pending a reference check, the hiring team feels that the process is over. After all, references are just a formality and who gives a bad reference anyway? References can be so instrumental to the hiring process.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with waiting longer if it makes for a more efficient system for you (but not too long — strive to respond within a few weeks or at most a month when you’re rejecting someone after an initial application, and within a few weeks at most if you’re rejecting after an interview).

Tuesday

The hiring process can be delayed for hundreds of reasons—most of which are valid business concerns that must be addressed. For example, perhaps the prospective employer needs to approve budgets or refine the job description or complete a reorganization of personnel before a final decision is made.