Providing references how many

He asks you to be his reference. Should you say yes? If the person was a star performer and dedicated colleague, then the answer may be obvious. But if his track record was spotty or worse, be careful. Claman says that many companies forbid employees from giving job references to current or former colleagues, stipulating that reference checks go through HR.

She recommends declining this way. You need someone who can really sing your praises. Be candid, but diplomatic about the particulars. Prepare When you do agree to give a reference, ask the candidate for assistance.

Savvy, smart candidates provide three references —often a mixture of former and current bosses, coworkers, and subordinates—that can speak to their different strengths. Is it her rapport with customers? Her project management skills? Her technical chops? The first is behavioral, says Glickman. Describe the time when he picked up a new professional responsibility and what he achieved; talk about how he spearheaded a cross-functional project and the result he produced. The goal is for the hiring manager to infer competence.

Generally, the best people to include as references are:. When thinking through who to include on your reference list, make sure you are comfortable with these people knowing you are looking for a new job, especially if they are someone you currently work with.

Related: How to Request a Business Reference. The only time you should send your reference list with your resume is if the job posting explicitly requests references with the application. Otherwise, wait until a recruiter or hiring manager makes the request. Not only is this a common courtesy, but it also gives them time to prepare for a phone call or email from the employer.

Your best references will be people who enjoyed working with you and are excited to discuss your talents. Here is an example of how you can format your resume list. Consider listing your references in chronological order, starting with the person you worked with most recently. Be sure to include the following information in this order:. Your name Your phone number Your email address. Reference name Reference position Reference company Reference company address Reference phone number Reference email address.

Reference description including where and when you worked together as well as your working relationship. Linda was my direct manager while I worked as a regional sales manager for the ABC Company from to Your job search is like a modern marketing campaign.

Since you are the product, your advertising should include: a resume, cover letter, business card and of course, online presence. Employers will definitely take your advertising into account.

But they know that this is you boasting about yourself. To balance this, they will also want to hear what other people have to say about you. Choosing and preparing your references can be trickier than you think. Avoid these eight common errors and give your marketing muscle a boost. Some job seekers believe they have lots of people to contact as references. The more relevant and credible the people you select as references are, and the more they know about how you work, the better.

What about references for students and grads who lack work experience? They may need to ask teachers or professors, parents, coaches or contacts from their volunteer work. At a minimum, use a search engine to quickly check each person who agrees to serve as your reference.