Different Types of References You Can Use to Land a Job

Different Types of References You Can Use to Land a JobDifferent Types of References You Can Use to Land a JobWhen you are applying for jobs youll need to have alist of referencesready those people who are familiar with your talents and work ethic and are willing to vouch for you. There are different types of references you can use to help you land a job, depending on the circumstances. You may have both professional and personal references that you can call upon, depending on their expertise, how they know you, and the job for which you are applying. These references should be able to attest to your skills, abilities, and qualifications as they relate to the jobs you apply for. Types of Job References Professional References.Individuals who can provide a professional reference for a job include previous employers, managers, colleagues, clients,business contacts, college instructors, and others who know your workplace skills and are willing to recommend you for the position. Per sonal References.If you havent worked before or if you have been out of the workforce, you can usecharacter or personal referencesfrom people who know your skills and attributes as an alternative toprofessional references. Good sources to use as personal references include high school teachers, coaches, pastors, or people for whom you have done volunteer work. LinkedIn Recommendations.Keep in mind that you can also provide references on LinkedIn. If you have recommendations on yourLinkedIn Profile, prospective employers will be able to see, at a glance, who is recommending you and what they have to say. Heres advice on how to getLinkedIn recommendations, who to ask for references, and how to manage the recommendations youve received. Who to Use as aReference Who you ask to give you a reference will depend on your personal and professional circumstances. Its important to be sure that the people you choose to recommend you are willing to give you agood reference. You might be surp rised that this isnt always the case. Ive heard some things from reference providers that ensured that I didnt hire the candidate they were representing. Thats why its important to check before you use someone for a reference - you want to be sure that there isnt anything negative in what they have to say about you. Giving the person the opportunity to bow out of providing a reference can save you from a potentially embarrassing situation. The Best Way to Ask for a Reference Not sure who you should ask to give you a reference or how to ask them to recommend you for employment? Hereshow to ask for a reference, along with a samplereference request letteryou can tailor to fit your personal circumstances. Be sure totake the time to follow upand keep the people you use for references updated regarding your status. You should also write a thank you note to show your appreciation for their willingness to serve as your reference. When you ask for a reference, you should also provide the m with the information they will need to speak or write persuasively about you. Good documents to send them include your resume, the job descriptions for which you are applying, and lists of your volunteer and / or team activities. Create a List of References Its important to line up your references ahead of time. Before placing someone on your list, make sure they are willing and able to provide you with a glowing recommendation. Create a separatereference list, using the saatkorn header you have used for your resume, and have it ready to give or send to employers upon request. Im seeingmore job postingswhere employers ask for a reference list along with a resume andcover letter. In those cases, the company may check your references in advance, before contacting you for an interview. What to Include on a Reference List Your list of references should include at least three people, along with their job title, company, address, phone number, and email address. How to Share Your References With Employers There is no need to includereferences on your resumeor to give references to an employer before they ask for them. However, you should be prepared to provide references to potential employers when requested. You may be asked to provide references when you apply for a job, or you may be asked for them further along in the application process. Also, bring a copy of your reference list (along with extra copies of your resume) to give to companies when you interview.