By Erin Wolfram, CPRW
When applying for jobs, your resume and network typically help you secure an interview. If all goes well, the interview will confirm the organization’s interest in you. But there is one more job search component that often makes or breaks an official offer — reference checks.
References may be requested when you initially apply for a job; however, usually you will not provide references until you have been invited to interview. Either way, it is recommended to always have at least three to five professional references ready to speak well on your behalf. You certainly could have more than five, but when you submit your reference list, it is important to narrow that list to the top five people for the particular job and organization.
WHO SHOULD SERVE AS A REFERENCE?
First, remember that these are professional references; therefore, avoid personal friends, family members, pastors, etc. Instead, focus on a variety of people who know you well in terms of your work ethic, skills, strengths and qualifications. It is best to use people who have worked with you in some capacity within the past 10 years. Also, when possible, have references from at least two different professional experiences to offer varied perspectives.
Here are people in your network to consider.
Current and former:
Supervisors
Colleagues and/or supervisees
Facility board members
Work-related vendors/sales representatives
Outside contractors who completed a collaborative project with you
Committee members
Regular visitors/members of your facility
YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL REFERENCES, NOW WHAT?
Once you have selected people you would like to serve as references, it is important to ask their permission. When doing this, share the most recent copy of your resume, as well as any jobs for which you plan to apply. If they agree, find out the phone number and email address they prefer you use. Then, as you apply for jobs, keep them updated on the status of your search so they are well prepared if contacted.
Unless they are requested in the initial job application process, references are typically separate from your resume. When you are invited for an interview, it is customary to print a few copies of your reference sheet to offer at the beginning of the interview. Use the same header, fonts and colors you used on your resume and cover letter so all your documents match and represent a cohesive brand.
For each reference, include the person’s name, job title, current facility, phone number and email address. You may also want to include the person’s relationship with you.
Here is an example reference sheet:
Mr. Jacob Townsley
Head Grounds Superintendent
Canyon State College
585-555-5622
jtownsley @ canyonstate . edu
***Current supervisor
Ms. Marilyn Cook
Former President
City Parks & Recreation Board
766-987-1212
mcook@cprb.org
***Former board president for organization who oversees the YBL Baseball budget
Mr. Bobby Slater
Assistant Field Manager
YBL Baseball
822-632-7444
bslater@ybl.org
***Former supervisee
SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION
Once your job search has ended, don’t forget to let your references know the outcome, thank them for their time and willingness, and offer to return the favor. Finally, continue to maintain strong relationships, as you never know when you may need your references again in the future.
Erin Wolfram, CPRW, has more than 15 years of experience in career services and owns and operates Career Advantage Golf (http://careeradvantagegolf.com), specializing in career services for those in the turf management field. Wolfram has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education, Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, and Master of Science in Educational Technology. She is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and certified professional etiquette consultant. She can be reached at erin@careeradvantagegolf.com.