Christian Career Tools

Many job seekers fail to give this part of the job search process enough focus and attention.

They end up casually asking family and friends to be employment references without checking to see if they will give accurate and balanced information about job experience and other factors that will be attractive to a prospective employer.

Ignore this topic and I guarantee that your job search success will be hindered.

Here are some tips to maximize the use of personal and professional references.

• Review your current list of job references. Is it current? Have people moved, died or left the company?

• Stay connected with your references. Contact them regularly through telephone and/or email. If they live nearby, periodically take them out to lunch or for coffee.

• Keep your references abreast of what you’re doing and tell them about the kinds of jobs you are seeking.

• Ask them to share what they would say about you if contacted by a recruiter or hiring manager. Coach them on your skills and competencies so that they understand the information you wish them to discuss.

The point here is to give the same time and attention to your personal and professional employment references as you give to preparing for a job interview. If you do, it will be one less factor you have to be concerned about as your job search progresses.

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