How to Use Job References When You Have a Skimpy Resume

If you are a young adult looking for your first job, handling the issue of references can be tricky, since you may have a skimpy resume that is short on job experience. There are ways to deal with this dilemma and to make job references work for you, including the following.

Be Prepared. While not all potential employers will ask for references, those that are seriously considering you for a position probably will, so be prepared with a list of solid references that you believe will help you land the job.

Don't Provide References until You Are Asked. One of the best ways to deal with the question of references is to add a line at the end of your resume saying "references are available upon request." Be sure to have a list of references with you at all job interviews so that you can provide them immediately if necessary, rather than supplying them later. In addition to the name of each reference, your reference list should include your relationship with the individual (college professor, boss at a part-time job while you were in school, supervisor at a summer internship, etc.) and professional and contact information for the reference.

Be Creative in Selecting Job References. Think about the qualifications and personal characteristics that you believe employers value and try to identify situations in which you displayed those traits. Individuals that you worked with in those situations could be good candidates for job references. For example, many employers value team players. If you spent part of a summer volunteering for a nonprofit that built a home for a homeless family, your team leader on the project might be the perfect choice to attest to your ability to work well in a group. If a job requires working with customers, your supervisor at the restaurant where your waited tables part time might wax enthusiastic about your exceptional poise in dealing with even the most difficult diner, and, if it calls for independence and initiative, your college advisor on a major independent study project could provide personal assurances of your strengths in both areas.

Ask before Using a Reference. Never use an individual as a job reference without getting his approval first. Most people probably will say yes, but don't make that assumption, so be prepared to accept no for an answer gracefully if someone turns you down. Give everyone who agrees to be a reference a copy of your latest resume.

Follow Up When You Use a Reference. If an interviewer asks for your references, alert all of the individuals whose names you gave as references that they may be hearing from a potential employer. Give each reference the name of the individual who interviewed you, the name of the firm and the nature of the job you applied for. Also, help him help you by providing any color you can on the kind of information that could help your cause. For example, if the job requires computer skills and one of your references is a professor for whom you set up a computer network, let him know how that experience could be relevant to the potential employer.

Thank Your References. Be sure to thank each reference, both when he agrees to be a job reference and when he takes the time to act as one by talking to a potential employer. A verbal thank you, followed up by a written note is a nice touch. Also, let each reference know when you get a job. After all, he was interested enough in your future to help you out, so keeping him informed is the least you can do.

Source:

Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D., www.quintcareers.com, The Keys to Choosing and Using the Best Job References

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