How To Make Sure Hiring Managers Know You’re Awesome: MPOWER’s Quick Guide To Professional References
Professional references can be incredibly valuable when you’re looking for a job. As you go through interviews, a hiring manager will typically check in with the references you provide to get a better sense of your professional accomplishments and what it’s like to work with you on a personal level. Having someone confirm how wonderful you are is a powerful tool to help shore up your fit and qualifications for a position.
Your references can make or break a job offer, so it’s important to choose wisely. Typically, hiring managers will ask for 2-3 references. So, who do you choose?
Choose people who:
1.
Know your work well.
2.
Speak positively about your accomplishments and qualifications.
3.
Vouch for your character.
Former supervisors, colleagues, or people who know you well in a work setting (like clients) make for great references!
It’s also crucial that you ask permission from your possible references before providing their contact information to a potential employer. Tell them what types of positions you are interviewing for and ask them to reflect on their experiences with you if they are contacted.
MPOWER Pro-tip 1
Ask your potential references permission to list them to as references via email. That way they are not put on the spot and have time to think about whether or not they are willing to help.
MPOWER Pro-tip 2
Ask your potential references for their permission as soon as you begin your job search – it’s one less thing to worry about when you are in the midst of interviews.
MPOWER Pro-tip 3
When providing reference information to potential employers, include their name, email, phone number, position, and current company.
MPOWER Pro-tip 4
Make sure you thank your references and keep them posted on the outcome of your job search. It’s also a great way to keep in touch.
Remember, one of the best ways to pay for college and to knock out that student loan debt is to land a job that you enjoy and that enables you to begin loan repayment. Having stellar references will get you one step closer to that goal.
Thank you for this . Quite helpful.