What to Do for a Great Reference - Article Example

Many times, people tend to forget about the importance of references during the of the job hunt. These individuals are people that you will rely on for assistance in recommending you for a position. Therefore, you should think about these individuals at least once a month to maintain a strong relationship with them. A quality reference can provide a huge benefit for any individual looking for a job. It can easily separate you from the rest of your competition. If a reference contacts an employer for a job recommendation, it shows the employer that the job candidate is serious about the position and it goes a long way to impress the employer.

A reference can be the difference between getting a job and being passed over for someone more qualified.What to do for a great reference:1. Make sure that your reference believes you can actually do the position and that it is a good fit.While this was great information, the same reference could have connected the candidate’s leadership, communication and organizational skills to the position to show how strong of a candidate the individual truly was. This would have made a world of difference!2. Make sure that your references are prepared.

 When you contact the reference to prepare them, make sure that you take the time to remind the reference of your skills, background and what tasks you performed for the reference while you were with them. This information is not always readily available as people tend to forget.3. Make sure to build upon your list of references throughout your career.Keep in touch with the reference. If you have not spoken with the individual for quite some time, you cannot expect to receive the excellent recommendation that you are hoping for.

Continue to build upon your strong relationship with that individual by staying in touch with them regularly. Usually, it is best to call or email your references every four or five months to check in on them and keep in touch. When you do make contact, ask the reference if there is anything that you are able to do for them as well. If you can help them, it increases the chances that they will help you!Before leaving an organization, make sure that you ask your current supervisor for a personal email address and phone number because you want to stay in touch.

Ask your supervisor if you may use him or her as a reference.If a co-worker decides to leave the company you both work for, make sure that you ask them for their personal email address and phone number to stay in touch. This is especially important if the individual can speak intelligently about your skills and abilities as a reference.Many social networking websites are excellent resources to link up with old co-workers, supervisors or friends that can speak well about you. Sign up for these web sites and actively contact people from your past and present to stay in touch and build the relationship.

These options can only help you in the long run.