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References

References do matter. No employer wants to make a costly hiring mistake. Not having met you, a prospective employer knows very little about you, and a brief interview reveals little. One stellar reference may be the deciding factor that tips the scales in your favor. On the other hand, a poor reference or one that is unreachable may cost you a job opportunity.

Some employers will want to speak to your references directly, but some might also accept a reference letter as a way to verify and assess your skills and strengths. Reference letters save employers time—it takes time to do reference checks by phone or mail. Another point to remember is that an unreachable reference or a poor reference may stack the odds against you. In the event your reference is unreachable or that he or she is busy, a letter of reference will do the talking. A stellar letter of recommendation may be enough to satisfy a potential employer. Most importantly, the biggest advantage to letters of reference is that you'll already know what your reference has to say about you.

Another benefit of reference letters is that they reduce liability. Some employers fear involvement in lawsuits arising from poor references. As a result, they will typically document what your references say about you. By presenting a letter of reference, you provide the needed documentation while limiting employers' liability.

Who makes a good reference?

References are important. Be prepared with your references before you begin to look for work because employers will expect you to list your references when you apply. Be prepared to provide at least four references. Have two or three "standy" references, should one of your main references become unreachable.

Because references will be speaking about your to potential employers, it's important to choose them carefully. Bias your list of references with dependable people able to give concrete examples of your skills and abilities. References should be able to tell an employer that you are:

• Trustworthy, honest, reliable and responsible
• A hard worker who cares about doing a good job
• Able to learn quickly
• Able to get along well with other people
• Punctual and meticulous

A reference is someone who can speak honestly about your skills, abilities, values and beliefs, personal qualities and strengths. References may include past employers, colleagues and supervisors you know will speak well of you. References can also include teachers, coaches or mentors, people you know through professional organizations, unions, and other professional acquaintances.

When choosing references, select people who:

• Have a high opinion of you
• Have good communication skills. Your references should be able to write well since the recommendations they write for you will influence potential employers. References should also be able to communicate well over the telephone, since most employers will want to call them to ask questions about your skills and abilities.
• Understand the roles, duties and responsibilities of the job(s) for which you are applying
• To encourage references, when asking them to prepare a letter of recommendation, you can point out that it may reduce the number of calls they may otherwise receive from employers. Everyone is busy — by pointing out that a reference letter may spare them from being repeatedly contacted by employers, your references may be more inclined to write a letter for you.
• Keep in mind that no matter how well educated your references may be, they may not know how to write an effective letter of reference. Offer to provide some samples and templates. Don't be afraid to offer suggestions to help your references picture you in the job for which you're applying.
• If requesting a letter of reference from an employer with whom you haven't worked in a while, be prepared that he or she may not remember the finer points about you. Don't be afraid to guide your reference.
• A reference cannot be related to you. Listing a relative, friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend as a reference is generally not a good idea. Never list anyone who shares your address and telephone number. When listing references, you need to state what your relationship is to each reference (i.e., past supervisor) and when that relationship took place (e.g., 1999–2002)

Never assume you can list someone as a reference. You should always ask someone's permission before listing them as a reference. Ensure you have their current contact information. When making contact, be sure you provide a copy of the job advertisement, your current résumé and cover letter so your references know the company to which you're applying and the duties and responsibilities of the job. This will allow them to not only imagine you in your job role, but it will also refresh their memories with details of your skills, work habits, and accomplishments.

What makes a good reference letter?

A good reference letter should include:

• Descriptions of your accomplishments, skills, and strengths
• Contributions you made to the work environment or company you worked for
• Reasons you excelled at your job
• How you attained and maintained the responsibilities required for the position
• A positive review of your personality
• If possible, a statement declaring that given the opportunity, they would hire you again or refer you, without hesitation to other colleagues and associates
• The reference's contact information, including name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address

How can I get a good letter of reference?

In order to get a good reference letter, be sure to:

• Supply your references with an up-to-date résumé and a brief summary of your work search. Let them know the types of position to which you are applying. The more specific your reference letter(s), the better.
• Give your references time to prepare your reference letter. Two to three weeks is recommended. A letter written at the last minute is likely a poorly written letter.
• Explain to your references how their letters will be used and who will be receiving them. For example, are you applying to several positions, or will the letters be used only for one specific job opening? You should know that employers value detailed, targeted reference letters more than general ones.

Be sure your references also know:

• Who will read the letter and the number of copies required
• The date the letter is needed
• How to contact you

Thank everyone who writes you a reference letter.

Three letters of reference for each job application or interview are plenty, unless you are asked for more. Always bring the original reference letters to a job interview. It is perfectly alright to give potential employers photocopies of your reference letters.

If during a job interview, the employer asks to see the original, you may show it to her, but be sure to ask that it be returned to you before you leave the interview.

Keep a file of your reference letters. This will allow you to choose different letters depending on the various positions you are applying for.

How can I get a letter of reference without job experience?

As discussed above, professional references are preferable, but if you lack work experience, you can develop personal references through your involvement in sports teams, community organizations, church or religious groups, and professional organizations.

Develop strong relationships with your acquaintances and ensure these people like you and can speak highly of you. If you have volunteered with a community organization by organizing a silent auction or charity dinner, ask the volunteer coordinator if he or she would be willing to act as a reference and comment on your ability to lead people, meet deadlines and goals, and handle money.

If you are looking for work as a hairstylist, for example, see whether you can volunteer in a salon: offer to wash linens, sweep floors, book appointments, or shampoo heads. You will not be able to interact directly with clients or cut hair until you become licensed, but the relationships you build with the management and stylists will allow you to possibly list them as professional references later. This is just one example—you can try to find ways to volunteer in an area directly related to the occupation or job you would like to have.

These are all examples of ways you can build relationships and look for references if you don't have practical work experience for the job or field to which you're applying.

Listing references

Your list of references should be separate from your résumé while still using a similar style, font, and paper. Be sure your references approve of what you write about them before preparing the final draft of your reference list. Your list of references should provide the minimum information about each reference:

• First and last name
• Current title
• Organization name
• Business mailing address
• Day and evening phone numbers, with area code
• E-mail address, if appropriate
• Relationship (i.e., former colleague, teacher, former supervisor)

Be sure to protect your references' privacy. Avoid sending your reference list with job applications, whether paper applications or on Internet job banks. Some career counselors recommend including a statement in your cover letter and in your résumé indicating you will provide references upon request. It isn't necessary to do this. Most employers will expect you to have a reference list; stating you have one on your cover letter or in your résumé takes up valuable space, and indicates something that, for most, is implicit.

During an interview, when asked about your accomplishments, you may want to present one or two letters of reference, but do so only if your reference letters answer the question asked.

When listing references as part of the application process, be sure to let your references know which companies may be contacting them. Be sure your references will be available. If not, contact the company, explain your situation, and provide replacements from your list of standby references. Be sure to contact your standbys to let them know the employer may be calling them for a reference check.