| The last, and often deciding, step in a manager's hiring | | | | Provide A Reference. |
| process is to check employee references. This is a | | | | There's nothing more damaging to an applicant than a |
| crucial opportunity for a first time job seeker to put | | | | surprised reference who can't immediately speak to |
| their best foot forward - but it all can come down to | | | | what a warm, giving, punctual, and considerate person |
| which person you choose to list, and how well | | | | you are - except a reference who doesn't actually |
| prepared they are for that fateful phone call. Ensure | | | | believe those things. Give people the courtesy of |
| those conversations go smoothly and leave | | | | asking them to provide a reference before you list |
| prospective hiring managers impressed with you and | | | | their name and contact information. This also gives you |
| your connections. Here are several tips to get you | | | | an opportunity to ensure you have the right phone |
| started. | | | | number and address for your reference - some hiring |
| 1. Choose Someone Who Knows You In An | | | | managers will discard an application altogether if they |
| Academic Or Other Professional Environment. | | | | can't reach an applicant's references. |
| If you have a teacher that is always been impressed | | | | 4. Give Your Reference A Heads Up Immediately |
| with your work, he or she will probably speak well of | | | | Following An Interview. |
| you to hiring managers. The same goes for church | | | | If your references do not know to expect a phone call |
| youth leaders, or people you have volunteered with. | | | | from a company, they may assume that missed call or |
| Even the parents you used to babysit for could be | | | | voice mail message is from a telemarketer, and |
| great references, if they were pleased with your work! | | | | automatically delete it. Any delay on reference checks |
| 2. How Well Someone Knows You Trumps How | | | | can delay your job offer, or derail it completely. Hiring |
| Long They Have Known You. | | | | managers are busy people who usually interview |
| A friend you have known since grade school may not | | | | multiple people for a position. If they have a choice |
| be your best reference choice if you have not seen | | | | between two equally qualified candidates, they will |
| them in several months, or if you have never | | | | always go with the person whose references are |
| participated in any long term projects with them. | | | | completed first. |
| References should be able to speak to a hiring | | | | These easy-to-follow suggestions will help first time |
| manager about your character, so someone you have | | | | job candidates sail through their reference checks, and |
| worked closely with for the last six months may be a | | | | get a job offer more quickly from their employer of |
| better choice. | | | | choice! |
| 3. Always Ask The Reference If They Are Willing To | | | | |