Recruiters are looking for meaningful feedback to deepen their understanding of you as an employee and to mitigate the risk of making a poor hiring decision. They are looking for any new insight that hasn’t been revealed
as a part of the screening and interview process. A quick online search will yield dozens of examples of common questions asked during reference calls. Familiarize yourself with a few of these before speaking to your references, so you’ll be better positioned to prepare them to speak on your behalf.
Why do recruiters need to contact your references?
In a 2004 report and survey the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) found that 96 percent of recruiters say that their organization conducts background or reference checks. Recruiters call references for a variety of reasons. They will reach out for the normal details; verifying dates of employment, title, and salary information. But they’ll also frequently ask open-ended behavior-based questions, such as “How would you describe XYZ candidate’s performance?” or “What was it like to supervise XYZ?”
What makes a good reference?
For a reference to be good, they have to be a blend of many significant ingredients. We’ll go over several of the things you might want to consider in a reference. Also, we’ve provided a checklist below for you to use as you consider references and gather their contact information.
First, they must be relevant to the position you are applying for now. Consider who would be best to provide the feedback about how you perform this specific type of work.
Next, your reference can be a manager or a coworker. It’s great to have a blend, but keep in mind that a supervisor’s, manager’s, or project lead’s words carry the most weight, and they will be in a better position to answer important questions to which only a supervisor would know the answers. For example, a manager is in a better position to speak to: how you were to supervise, how you respond to feedback, or how self-directed you are.
Also, think through your connections and see if any of your potential references, if not a supervisor, are in some other position of authority or respect. It is advisable to pick references whose words carry weight and credibility.
Your references can come from your recent employment history or it can be a long-term relationship. They key is that you need to maintain relationships and have a current connection. Stay connected through social networks, by email, or by phone, with any contact whose opinion you value and you may want to list as a reference.
A quality reference is a person who is available to take the call. Make sure your reference has the time in their schedule to be a reference before you send their information to a recruiter. A great reference is only great if the recruiter can reach them without unreasonable effort.
Prepared references are more likely to help you stand out as a candidate. Letting the person know what types of questions can be expected is a solid start. You may also want to send over the job you applied to and your current resume. If you have any part of your employment history you’d like them to highlight, be sure they know. It could be something as simple as your involvement on a successful project, or a quality that you’d like them to convey about you. A little direction from you will help your contacts function as an integral part of your marketing team.
Choose a reference that is your advocate. If you have people in your career that are fantastic proponents of your work, your performance, and your mission, these are your ideal references. If you don’t have any you can think of at the moment, can you think of people you could be a raving fan of? Send out recommendations and testimonials to people in your network and it will get you well on your way to building your cheering section for the future.
Easily keep track of all your references by using a checklist or small notecards. You can include their contact information and what type of information you can expect them to provide recruiters.
How do I maintain my references?
Maintain your references by actively engaging your network of colleagues on social media, email, or at networking events. Stay connected and interested in the lives of your peers and mentors, and it will be easier to keep your references current.
Make the decision to reach out to key contacts and ask for their permission to be used as a reference. Gather their contact information and let them know that you’ll give them a heads up whenever you submit your references to potential employers.
Update your network on your job search and prospects. Let them know if you are still actively interviewing and how many positions your are currently in play for. Engaging them in your search keeps you top-of-mind, so when a recruiter calls it will be no surprise. It will also help them root for you along the way.
If you haven’t used a reference in a while, reach back out to verify contact info and update them on your search. Also, determine the best way for you to contact them to give them a heads up when you’ve submitted your references. Whether it is text, email or phone, they’ll usually prefer the advanced notification.
Ask your reference for a debrief on the types of questions that were asked and how they felt the phone call went. Afterwards be sure to express your gratitude in a thank you letter or small gesture.
It is a best practice to have several references you can rotate through, so that no one or two contacts is getting too many calls. Stay in touch with your references and make sure they aren’t getting burnt out.
How do I manage contact with my references?
It is recommended to leave your references off of your resume. This way you control access to your references and you can give them a heads up prior to being contacted by the recruiter or hiring manager. Create a separate document for your references and provide them only upon request (unless otherwise specified in application instructions). You do not need to indicate “References Available Upon Request” on your resume, it is assumed by the recruiter. Always notify your references when you send out their information.
When should I change my references?
Consider changing your references if you find you are losing opportunities after your references have been called. Be sure that your references are an advocate of you and a fan of your work.
If you have lost touch with the contact or have a hard time reaching them, consider substituting in someone you have a current connection with who could be more available.
Changing your career path is another reason to change and add contacts related to your new industry. The new references should be able to speak for your skills fit, while leaving a few who can address your transferrable skills. Similarly you might want to update your reference list after any big change; i.e. a move, a promotion, or a new degree.