When a company hires a new employee, it’s investing time, money, and effort into the chosen candidate. According to Investopedia, it’s estimated that on average companies will spend $4129 (USD) per new hire and it can take up to six months for a company to break even on this investment. So it makes sense that a company would be hesitant to spend this kind of money on just anyone.
They want it to be the right person, who can bring a return on their investment by being both a productive worker and someone who will stay with the company for quite some time. This is why employers want to talk with your referees as they know your skills, your work ethic, and your personality well.
Many companies are now even opting to use automated reference checking software, which cuts the time it takes to do a reference check significantly. Meaning it’s now more likely than ever that companies will bother checking your references. A good reference could be what tips the scales in your favor, but a bad reference could be what gets you cut right then and there.
What is a work reference?
References, also known as referees, are people who you nominate to vouch for you during the application process. These people don’t have to be a previous employer or manager. They can be one of your teachers or professors. They just need to be able to answer questions regarding your work ethic, work history, skills, abilities, and overall provide a better insight into who you are as a person. After all, the company hardly knows you, so why wouldn’t they ask someone who does?
There are three types of references you need to be aware of: professional, academic, and personal. Below is an outline of what defines these reference types and when you should be using them.
Professional Reference – refers to a colleague, manager, or even a client you have worked with that can speak for your work ethics, productivity, and career goals. Professional references are typically what most employers seek, but graduates and career changers may be lacking in these references. Academic references – refers to a teacher, university tutor, or professor who can speak to your relevant skills and abilities. If you are a recent graduate with limited to no experience academic references should be your go-to reference type. Personal Reference – is someone who can attest to your values, integrity, character, and goals, but that you have not worked with. We recommend not listing family members or spouses as personal references because though they might fit those requirements, they can appear to be biased. Instead, choose someone who has known you for at least one year, is a good communicator and who, most importantly, thinks of you in a positive light. You should use a personal reference if you are a recent graduate lacking in professional references or possibly if you are changing your career type, as you may not have enough professional references that you feel are relevant to your new field.
Many people choose to include their referees on their resumes, though it’s not always essential. Chances are you’ll be asked to provide references at a date further into the recruitment process. If you’re unsure when to provide references, a general rule of thumb is for academic jobs, recent graduates with limited experience, and government positions put your referees on your resume.
How to choose your references
Which referees you choose is dependent on the specific role you are applying for. You will find that many roles specify the number and type of references they are after. Though the most important thing to remember when choosing your referees is that they need to have a positive perception of you. There is no use getting your old colleague to be your referee if they are not going to give you a raving review. If you’re worried about references, don’t focus on getting specific types of references too much – focus on getting references from people you know only have positive things to say about you. A professional reference who can’t speak well of you is far more damaging than having a non-professional reference speak highly of you.
We’d recommend asking 3 – 6 different people to be potential referees for you. It’s unlikely that an employer will ever ask for more than three references – but what this allows you to do is strategically choose who to name as your referee at each different job depending on the skills you want to showcase.
Top tips for good references
Give notice to your referees
You should notify your referees anytime you give their details out to a company. Not only is it a polite practice that will help you to maintain strong relationships with your referees, but a necessary one that keeps them informed about the role you’re applying for. Just as you want to be prepared for your interview with the company, so too do your referees. How else will they know you applied for a job as a sales consultant and that they should be focused on boosting up your communication skills when the company contacts them? You run too many risks not informing your referees what is going on.
Never assume a company won’t bother reference checking
There are many companies out there still doing in-depth manual reference checking, though this can be a tedious and time-consuming task.
Now you’ll find that many companies use automated reference checking systems that significantly cut down the time it takes to check references. The system filters through references and can flag poor or great ratings. Now it’s easier for companies to be checking your references in great detail. So, don’t think just any old reference will do. This could be the make-or-break moment for you to land your dream role.
Be honest
Don’t give a fake reference or referee name, as it will come back to bite you in the end. Reference checkers are aware that candidates will often try to manipulate the data collected to be in their favor. These systems have measures in place to counteract this. Things such as role-specific questions help to ensure that the data collected can counteract the possibility of candidate manipulation in the reference checking stages. HR managers are very experienced in catching out liars in the application process in general. The last thing you want is to be caught in a lie, perhaps there are embellishments you could make in your resume, but when it comes to your references, keep them honest.
What to do if a previous employer gives a bad reference
It’s important to remember that you cannot control what others say about you. Even though you might have compiled what you thought to be a great list of referees, you may sometimes find that someone has given you a bad reference. Do not panic. There are three simple steps you can take to try to amend the situation and move forward.
Contact the referee who gave you the bad reference
Although your referee isn’t obligated to and might not make changes to your reference, reach out to make amends. This will give you a better chance of restoring your reputation. The former employer might even choose to update their reference. If they don’t, however, you must move on. Use a different referee next time and try not to be disheartened – these things happen.
Provide more references
If the company you’re applying for didn’t ask for a specific number of references, submit more. A good idea might be to touch base with these new referees if you haven’t talked with them for a while to affirm that they will still give you a positive reference. These new references just may help to lessen the blow of the original bad reference.
Make positive changes
Sometimes it’s important to look at a bad reference as feedback. If you get a bad reference maybe it’s time to reflect on what you can improve upon and take the opportunity to grow professionally. If given the chance to discuss this bad reference with the company during further interviewing, take the opportunity to show them that not only can you take criticism but you use it to better yourself.
Takeaways
You can’t control what others say about you, but you certainly can control who gets to say something about you when it comes to job hunting. Don’t let one poor choice of reference be what holds you back from landing your dream job. Instead, use your referees to propel you to the front of the pack. As long as you keep these tips in mind when choosing your references, you’ll be sure to give yourself the best chance of landing the job.
Author Bio: Alicia McFadden is a Junior Content Marketing Specialist at MyRecruitment+. She graduated from the University of Wollongong with a double major in Marketing and Digital & Social Media. She is a passionate writer who enjoys getting to do what she loves.
