Getting a Job - Choosing and Managing Your Referees
Choosing the right referees is a crucial part of applying for a job.
You may have written an outstanding application and WOWED the employer at the interview but there's one last hurdle to overcome before you get the job...
and that's reference checking.
Here are a few tips to get you over the line: 1.
Choose referees who know you well and who can vouch for your performance at work.
The biggest mistake applicants make in choosing referees is to ask people who have senior positions in the organisation (but who barely know them) to be their referee.
Your referees need to be able to comment on your work performance and only people who really know your work can do this.
It's perfectly acceptable to nominate your work colleagues, customers, suppliers, etc.
as long as these people can honestly speak about your workplace achievements.
2.
Treat your referees like gold! Keep them informed about your applications and thank them for their efforts.
They have the power to 'SELL' you with an enthusiastic response or 'kill' your chances with a 'no comment' when approached by an interviewer or employer.
3.
Supply more than the required number of referees.
You are usually asked to nominate two referees, but it's a good idea to nominate three (or even four) just in case one of them is on holidays or away from the workplace.
4.
Make it easy to contact your referees.
Reference checking is time-consuming for recruiters and employers.
Make it easy for them to contact your referees by supplying mobile numbers and email addresses for referees you know are difficult to contact.
5.
Find out what your referees are required to do.
For some higher level government positions, referees are required to provide written responses to the selection criteria.
The Position Description will clearly state if this is necessary.
Ask your referees if they are able to meet this requirement before nominating them, as it may take them many hours to complete the task.
6.
Check to see if you need to nominate your immediate supervisor.
For government positions, only the referees you nominate will be contacted.
However, if you haven't nominated your immediate supervisor or manager, you may be advised by selection panel members that you need to do so.
7.
Don't choose family or friends as your referees.
Your Aunty Mary may love you to death, but she won't help you get a job unless she can actually comment on your work.
Even then, non-family members are far more credible.
8.
Nominate members of the clergy only if it is relevant to the advertised role.
For example, if you are applying for a position as a teacher in a Catholic School, it would be appropriate to provide your Parish Priest as a referee.
But, it won't help one iota if you're applying for a position such as a computer technician or a sales manager.
In summary, think of your referees as your 'secret sales team' - show them that you appreciate their efforts by sincerely thanking them - regularly - and keeping them updated about your applications.
You may have written an outstanding application and WOWED the employer at the interview but there's one last hurdle to overcome before you get the job...
and that's reference checking.
Here are a few tips to get you over the line: 1.
Choose referees who know you well and who can vouch for your performance at work.
The biggest mistake applicants make in choosing referees is to ask people who have senior positions in the organisation (but who barely know them) to be their referee.
Your referees need to be able to comment on your work performance and only people who really know your work can do this.
It's perfectly acceptable to nominate your work colleagues, customers, suppliers, etc.
as long as these people can honestly speak about your workplace achievements.
2.
Treat your referees like gold! Keep them informed about your applications and thank them for their efforts.
They have the power to 'SELL' you with an enthusiastic response or 'kill' your chances with a 'no comment' when approached by an interviewer or employer.
3.
Supply more than the required number of referees.
You are usually asked to nominate two referees, but it's a good idea to nominate three (or even four) just in case one of them is on holidays or away from the workplace.
4.
Make it easy to contact your referees.
Reference checking is time-consuming for recruiters and employers.
Make it easy for them to contact your referees by supplying mobile numbers and email addresses for referees you know are difficult to contact.
5.
Find out what your referees are required to do.
For some higher level government positions, referees are required to provide written responses to the selection criteria.
The Position Description will clearly state if this is necessary.
Ask your referees if they are able to meet this requirement before nominating them, as it may take them many hours to complete the task.
6.
Check to see if you need to nominate your immediate supervisor.
For government positions, only the referees you nominate will be contacted.
However, if you haven't nominated your immediate supervisor or manager, you may be advised by selection panel members that you need to do so.
7.
Don't choose family or friends as your referees.
Your Aunty Mary may love you to death, but she won't help you get a job unless she can actually comment on your work.
Even then, non-family members are far more credible.
8.
Nominate members of the clergy only if it is relevant to the advertised role.
For example, if you are applying for a position as a teacher in a Catholic School, it would be appropriate to provide your Parish Priest as a referee.
But, it won't help one iota if you're applying for a position such as a computer technician or a sales manager.
In summary, think of your referees as your 'secret sales team' - show them that you appreciate their efforts by sincerely thanking them - regularly - and keeping them updated about your applications.
