How to Choose the Right References for Your Job Search

How to Choose the Right References for Your Job SearchHow to Choose the Right References for Your Job SearchWhat every job seeker should do when identifying and prepping job references.Q How can you ask your immediate supervisor or manager (who knows the most about your work and skills) to be your reference when you are secretly looking for another job? Thanks. K.T.A In a perfect world, we would all have very good relationships with our bosses, openly communicate with one another and be able to let that person know were looking for work while leise employed at the company.Unfortunately, not everyone works in a place where they could tell their boss theyre looking for new work, and still maintain that job during the search. The reality is that if youre conducting a confidential job search while employed, you most likely wont be able to use your immediate supervisor as a reference.So lets talk about what any job seeker regardless of their current employment status should do when ide ntifying and prepping references for the job search.Target three solid references from people you currently work with (if you have a close relationship with that person and you trust them to keep your search confidential) or have worked with in the past.This can include (1) former bosses or people to whom you had a dotted-line reporting relationship, (2) peers, (3) clients or vendors and (4) people youve successfully supervised or mentored.If you are new to the workforce, consider asking for references from college mentors, professors who taught courses relevant to your job goals, fellow students who headed up organizations with which you were actively involved or those who managed you during internships.Only include references who have insight into your work and capabilities and those you trust to say good things about you and your performance. Remember you dont need these people to write out letters of recommendation you need someone who could field a phone call or email from a p rospective employer and advocate on your behalf.Once your contact has agreed to be a reference, you want to do three thingsFind out what email address and phone number theyd prefer the recruiters use when contacting them.Make sure they have the most up-to-date copy of your resume.Go through your career history and current goals with them so they understand what youre targeting and what skill sets youre most eager to pitch to employers.If your contact is willing, it doesnt hurt to have a written reference on file. This can be in the form of a LinkedIn Recommendation, or a written document that appears on the company letterhead where the person works.Unprepared references can unknowingly hurt your chances of landing the job. Once you have an interview scheduled, make sure you alert your references. Tell them the name of the company, supply them with a copy of the job description (when possible) and explain to them how you meet the core must-haves for the role this will be good pract ice for answering the Tell me about yourself interview question. When a contact understands what skills or experience you want to highlight, theyll be in a better position to support you as a reference.