References Will Be Furnished Upon Request

"Do you have any one we can contact about you"?

In the post 9/11 world we live in, every company is doing background checks on potential employees. From checking dates of hire, job titles, criminal background checks, pre-employment physicals (drug tests) and even credit checks, having someone who can speak well of you and your abilities will help you stand out as a candidate.

The only information Human Resources can give out are dates of employment and salary. It is your references, those people who you worked for and with that can provide valuable information to a potential employer about your character, work ethic, problem solving ability, and how you get along with others.

Here are a few things to remember about references:

You should have at least 3They can be supervisors, co-workers (or former co-workers), clients, clergy or friendsThey should be able to speak about your positive qualities and work ethic with honesty and sincerityIt helps if they have a job, employers feel they are more honest about assessing someone's abilityYou asked the people you listed that you're using them as a reference, gave them a copy of your resume, and highlighted the keys, what you feel are the reasons why you should be hired, so they can back up what you've saidAll of their contact information is accurate and up to dateDo not use family members as references, which includes In-Laws. Even though they have a different last name than yours, as soon as the question is asked how do they know you, the jig is up and your personal integrity and intelligence is questioned (since on every application they state do not use family members as references)

For a reference to be valid, you need to include the following information:

Person's nameJob TitleCompany they work forAddressCity, State Zip CodePhone numberE-mail

Be sure to keep in contact with your references. Not only are they a part of your network, but you consider these people to be important to you. Treat them with respect, as they are helping you. And they could be leads to other opportunities in the future. Or more importantly, the friend you can confide in and help get you through the rough patches of your job search. Your references should be people you care about and they should care about you, both personally and professionally. Because in today's employment picture, they might need you for a reference one day.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to learn how to present your skills more effectively? If so, I recommend my book "Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide for the 21st Century." which is currently available at https://www.createspace.com/3710544

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