The Correct Time to Use Your References

Do you know the correct time to submit your employment references? Your references are a vital tool at your disposal and can be instrumental in helping you to secure an ideal position. There isn’t a more effective marketing resource for yourself than references that provide positive detailed testimony about you as an employee.

Although submitting a compelling resume and cover letter is your best chance of initially attracting an employer’s interest. After you engage the decision-maker’s interest, your references are powerful as they add positive information about you from someone other than yourself.

The individuals you choose to ask to be your references are an invaluable testimony to a potential employer. With such an incredible marketing tool in your back pocket, it is essential to know the best time to release this information to an employer.

Oftentimes, an employer will ask you to supply them with a list of your references before offering you a job. They will want to contact your references to ensure the information you’ve supplied them with is correct and determine what type of worker you are and what your past accomplishments entailed. Ensure your references are ready to sing your praises because this is a substantial aspect of the recruitment process.

References Are Submitted After an Interview

Since the main reason an employer should contact your references is to verify the information you’ve provided them with and delve deeper into what you have to offer, your references are meant to be used after an interview. This means that you should not be handing out your references until asked to at an interview. Your references are your secret weapon, so you should protect them until the moment they’re needed.

Protect Your Reference Information

If you give out your references too freely or even place them on your resume, you may run into trouble with the people you’ve asked to speak on your behalf. If your references are contacted too often, they could get annoyed or upset, and you don’t want to upset the very people that are helping you out.

As your reference information is somewhat private contact information, you will want to be protective of this, only revealing them at an interview for an employer for whom you really want to work.

Another advantage of holding onto your references until later is that you will select the best people for that particular position or company you are interviewing with.  Some references are more relevant than others. This way, you’ll be sure to provide an employer with the most appropriate references. Manage your reference data carefully.

Lastly, if you happen to run into a job ad that asks for your references with your application, state you will be willing to provide your excellent references at an interview. Another option is to provide your references’ names but withhold the contact information, stating you will provide this information at an interview.

Details about your references contain confidential personal details, not something you should be handing out randomly. It is also one of your most powerful marketing tools, so use them with caution and release them at the appropriate moment…at an interview.

What techniques do you use for selecting and submitting your references?

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As always, reach out to Candace if you need more help in your job search.