Referee Checks - Beyond My Control?
Wrong!
You have invested a significant effort in writing your letter of application, Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) and covering letter. In the event that you have been invited to an interview, no doubt you will invest further effort in researching about the employer, the position and issues that may be covered in the interview.
Remember that preparing your referees is an equally important part of the process. A well informed referee statement, backed up by examples and evidence, will be to your advantage.
Referee Credibility
Referee checks are something of a two-edged sword. Employers are reliant on referees to confirm your abilities and performance. This is especially true with regard to some of the “soft areas” of performance such as communication, interpersonal and team work skills. Most applicants can “say the right thing” at interview, but an astute employer will want validation before exposing their organisation and services to risk. Conversely, employers face a risk that referees will give a glowing account of an employee simply to be rid of them. (This is a risk for referees too, as a false statement could come back to "bite them" legally!). How will an employee know that your career shift is for a legitimate reason, other than your say-so?
Choosing Referees
Try to get a cross-section of interests represented (e.g. clients, peers and management). Most people are happy to referee, and it is a given in most circumstances to include your manager as a referee. However there are some circumstances that may make this difficult, such as an organisational culture in which job-seeking is seen as disloyal, or a manager with whom you have had conflict or who has bullied or harassed you at work.
If you can nominate someone else at management level who is more supportive, use this person and brief them well. Otherwise you may decide to notify your referee only if you are invited to interview. Be aware that some employers seek referee comment before interviewing candidates, so there is a small risk with the latter strategy. Some employers will readily give feedback on your application, interview and referee checks. Take advantage of this as it is one means of holding a negative referee more accountable.
Preparing a Referee
Part of your research about a job and the preparation of your cover letter, Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is to look at the requirements of the position and how your skills and abilities match up to these requirements. As you do this identify areas where a referee could make a useful contribution to validate or confirm your skills, personal characteristics or significant achievements. It is important for you to market these attributes in your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) and at interview when you get this opportunity, but so much more powerful when a third party offers this information in a referee statement.
Speak with your referees BEFORE they are contacted and talk through with them the kinds of information you hope they may be able to provide. Explain the broad functions of the position for which you are applying, and how you see your abilities and professional development leading into this new role. This will help a referee to be ready, to have some words in mind, and to remember your achievements, which they might otherwise forget if only given a minutes notice. If your referee is not prepared to offer the kind of comment you expect, better to find out this way than the hard way!
Have this discussion with all your referees and be prepared to outline to your prospective employer the perspective that each referee may have.
Progress Enterprise
<link outdated-removed>
From Australia, Ballarat
12Wrong!
You have invested a significant effort in writing your letter of application, Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) and covering letter. In the event that you have been invited to an interview, no doubt you will invest further effort in researching about the employer, the position and issues that may be covered in the interview.
Remember that preparing your referees is an equally important part of the process. A well informed referee statement, backed up by examples and evidence, will be to your advantage.
Referee Credibility
Referee checks are something of a two-edged sword. Employers are reliant on referees to confirm your abilities and performance. This is especially true with regard to some of the “soft areas” of performance such as communication, interpersonal and team work skills. Most applicants can “say the right thing” at interview, but an astute employer will want validation before exposing their organisation and services to risk. Conversely, employers face a risk that referees will give a glowing account of an employee simply to be rid of them. (This is a risk for referees too, as a false statement could come back to "bite them" legally!). How will an employee know that your career shift is for a legitimate reason, other than your say-so?
Choosing Referees
Try to get a cross-section of interests represented (e.g. clients, peers and management). Most people are happy to referee, and it is a given in most circumstances to include your manager as a referee. However there are some circumstances that may make this difficult, such as an organisational culture in which job-seeking is seen as disloyal, or a manager with whom you have had conflict or who has bullied or harassed you at work.
If you can nominate someone else at management level who is more supportive, use this person and brief them well. Otherwise you may decide to notify your referee only if you are invited to interview. Be aware that some employers seek referee comment before interviewing candidates, so there is a small risk with the latter strategy. Some employers will readily give feedback on your application, interview and referee checks. Take advantage of this as it is one means of holding a negative referee more accountable.
Preparing a Referee
Part of your research about a job and the preparation of your cover letter, Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is to look at the requirements of the position and how your skills and abilities match up to these requirements. As you do this identify areas where a referee could make a useful contribution to validate or confirm your skills, personal characteristics or significant achievements. It is important for you to market these attributes in your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) and at interview when you get this opportunity, but so much more powerful when a third party offers this information in a referee statement.
Speak with your referees BEFORE they are contacted and talk through with them the kinds of information you hope they may be able to provide. Explain the broad functions of the position for which you are applying, and how you see your abilities and professional development leading into this new role. This will help a referee to be ready, to have some words in mind, and to remember your achievements, which they might otherwise forget if only given a minutes notice. If your referee is not prepared to offer the kind of comment you expect, better to find out this way than the hard way!
Have this discussion with all your referees and be prepared to outline to your prospective employer the perspective that each referee may have.
Progress Enterprise
<link outdated-removed>
From Australia, Ballarat
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