References: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Introduction:
References are an important part of any job application. They can help potential employers get a better sense of your skills and experience, and they can also provide a valuable reference for your character and work ethic. However, not all references are created equal. Some references can be helpful, while others can actually hurt your chances of getting the job.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of references. We’ll discuss what makes a good reference, how to choose the right people to serve as your references, and how to use your references effectively.
The Good:
A good reference can be a powerful tool in your job search. A strong reference can help to convince a potential employer that you’re the right person for the job. A good reference can also provide valuable insights into your skills, experience, and character.
Here are some of the qualities of a good reference:
- Honesty: A good reference will be honest about your skills and experience. They won’t exaggerate your qualifications or tell you what you want to hear.
- Specificity: A good reference will provide specific examples of your work and accomplishments. They’ll be able to talk about your strengths and weaknesses, and they’ll be able to provide a clear picture of what it was like to work with you.
- Recency: A good reference will be recent. The most recent reference is the most important, so make sure you choose someone who can speak to your skills and experience in the present day.
The Bad:
A bad reference can damage your chances of getting the job. A negative reference can make a potential employer think that you’re not a good fit for the job. It can also make them question your character and work ethic.
Here are some of the qualities of a bad reference:
- Negativity: A bad reference will be negative about your skills and experience. They may exaggerate your weaknesses or tell you what you don’t want to hear.
- Vagueness: A bad reference will be vague about your work and accomplishments. They won’t be able to provide specific examples of your strengths and weaknesses, and they won’t be able to give a clear picture of what it was like to work with you.
- Age: A bad reference will be old. The older the reference is, the less relevant it will be to your current job search.
The Ugly:
The ugliest references are the ones that are dishonest, unprofessional, or irrelevant. These references can do more harm than good, so it’s important to avoid them at all costs.
Here are some examples of ugly references:
- A reference who lies about your skills or experience.
- A reference who is unprofessional or rude.
- A reference who provides irrelevant information about your work history.
How to Choose (and Use) References That Will Help You Land the Job
Introduction:
Now that you know what makes a good reference, it’s time to start choosing the people who will serve as your references. When choosing your references, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Relevancy: The most important factor to consider when choosing your references is their relevance to the job you’re applying for. Your references should be able to speak to your skills and experience in the specific field you’re interested in.
- Honesty: It’s also important to choose references who are honest and will give you a fair assessment of your skills and experience. You don’t want to choose someone who will just tell you what you want to hear.
- Strength: Finally, you want to choose references who can speak to your strengths. These are the people who can highlight your best qualities and make a potential employer want to hire you.
Here are some tips for choosing the right references:
On your reference sheet you should list each reference with the following information Name Current JobPosition Company Phone Number Email Address Reference Description Write one sentence explaining how you know or have worked with this person where when and for how long8 do39s and don39ts for resume writing Here are eight do39s and don39ts to consider when writing your resume 1 Relevant experience Do List your specific experience skills and accomplishments that are directly or closely related to the job you want to secure35 Do Align Your Dates and Locations to the Right This small change will make your resume way easier on the eyes You should be able to make a column of dates and locations for each job by creating a right tab 36 Dont Use More Than Two Lines Per BulletHere are a few final
examples of dos and donts for your resume DO Personalize your resume to each job you apply for DONT Include trendy but meaningless buzzwords or corporate jargon DO Demonstrate the impact of your accomplishments by using numbers whenever possible DONT Lie or exaggerate on your resumeDont waste space on items that are irrelevant or unremarkable Do keep your resume to a single page if possible Dont make the font smaller to cram everything onto one page Do consider a creative format if youre applying for a creative job The most important thing to remember when writing your resume is that details matterHere are some of the elements to include in your resume Your contact information A resume summary or objective highlighting your skills and experience Your work experience and educational
background Your professional skills and examples of how you accomplished past objectives Awards accolades and additional certificationsWhen youre applying for a job youll likely be asked to provide references who can attest to your skills worth ethic and integrity What these people reveal about you both in terms of what they do and dont say can make a difference in whether youll be hired So its extremely important that you choose wisely when deciding Get too personal Dont put personal information such as your photo height Social Security number marital status or religious affiliation in your resume You dont want to expose yourself to conscious and unconscious bias on the part of the hiring manager State References available upon request
- Ask for references from people who know you well and can speak to your skills and experience. This could include former employers, supervisors, teachers, or mentors.
- Make sure your references are willing to give you a good reference. Don’t ask someone to be your reference if you’re not confident that they’ll give you a positive review.
- Provide your references with a copy of your resume and a list of the specific skills and experience you’re looking to highlight. This will help them to tailor their letters of recommendation to the job you’re applying for.
Once you’ve chosen your references, it’s time to use them effectively. Here are a few tips:
- **Provide your references with your contact information and a deadline for when you need their