Destination Success: Communicate with, prepare references before using them

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Sinara Stull O'Donnell is a professional speaker and writer through Springfield-based SinaraSpeaks. She is the author of "Be The Star Of Your Life: Are You Ready For Your Close-Up?"|ret||ret||tab|

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This is it. You know this is the job that you want. You have gone through the first interview. Then, a second interview. The big question: Would you please give us a list of your references? |ret||ret||tab|

Most job candidates follow instructions by providing a reference sheet. Then, they wait. Many are still waiting.|ret||ret||tab|

Over my career, I have checked hundreds of references. About 75 percent of them have gone very smoothly. In a quarter of the cases, I have heard:|ret||ret||tab|

"I didn't know he was looking for a job."|ret||ret||tab|

"I don't remember her."|ret||ret||tab|

"No, I cannot give a reference on him." Click.|ret||ret||tab|

"Who?"|ret||ret||tab|

"I thought she got a job with XYZ Company."|ret||ret||tab|

"We can only give out dates of employment."|ret||ret||tab|

"I wouldn't give him a reference if he was the last person on Earth."|ret||ret||tab|

Luckily, there are very few of the last example!|ret||ret||tab|

The above responses do show one thing, however. The applicants have not done their homework. They have not prepared their references for the call.|ret||ret||tab|

The following will help take you to the job you want:|ret||ret||tab|

Always ask permission of your reference. Never, ever, give out someone's name and number without asking permission. It may be awkward if they decide not to allow their name to be given, but how much worse if your potential employer gets the cold shoulder instead of you!|ret||ret||tab|

Send a copy of your resume to your potential reference. You want that person to have a "cheat sheet" to remind him or her of your sterling qualities when the call comes. You also want you and your reference to be on the same page. If the reference has any objection to what you have written, revise it now.|ret||ret||tab|

For the most part, only give business references. Personal references are pretty worthless. They may show that your best friend or minister thinks you are a solid, honest citizen, but they show very little to an employer. Besides, it is becoming common business practice to run a criminal background check instead of checking on character issues with references.|ret||ret||tab|

Let your reference know that he or she may receive a call. Be sure to clue them in as to who might be calling and when.|ret||ret||tab|

Brief the reference. In your call to the reference, make sure you tell them who is hiring, what the job is, when the call will come, where the job is, why you want the job and how you want them to portray you. The how is the touchiest area. You don't want to tell anyone what to say, but you can legitimately ask that they emphasize certain aspects of your background without being too pushy. You might say, "I'd really appreciate it if you could mention that I was in the Top Ten' last year." Or, "Could you bring up the fact that I reorganized the office?"|ret||ret||tab|

Warn your reference about confidentiality issues. If you are currently employed and are looking for a job, make sure that you tell your reference. Explain that you are on a confidential job search and ask them not to mention it to anyone else.|ret||ret||tab|

Ask your reference to call you if they get a call. You always want to be on top of the interviewing process.|ret||ret||tab|

Keep your references posted throughout the interview process. Let your references know if you did or didn't get the job. More than a few references have responded, "I thought she got a job with another company."|ret||ret||tab|

Thank your reference whether you got the job or not. Nobody has to give a reference. It is a favor and should be treated like one. I recommend sending a thank you card for taking the time. Besides, you never know when you will need them again.|ret||ret||tab|

If you suspect a former employer has given you a bad reference, you may wish to have a business friend call that person for a reference on you. Or, if you are working with a recruiter, consider having him or her check your references.|ret||ret||tab|

As painful as it may be, it is in your best interest to know what is being said about you. If you discover that someone is giving you a bad reference, simply remove that reference and add another name to your list.|ret||ret||tab|

When I was a corporate recruiter, I had some startling experiences. I usually ended my call with, "Do you have anything to add?" Some of the additions knocked my candidate right out of the running. The respondent usually began with, "I shouldn't say this but "|ret||ret||tab|

"He has a terrible temper."|ret||ret||tab|

"He was fired."|ret||ret||tab|

"She is a good worker but had personality conflicts."|ret||ret||tab|

Never give anyone's name out if you are unsure about them. While most reference checks are fairly routine, the surprises can undermine you. |ret||ret||tab|

The key to the reference portion of an interview is to realize that this aspect is just as important as the actual interviewing process.|ret||ret||tab|

Don't be afraid to turn in that reference list. Just review it yourself first!|ret||ret||tab|

(Editor's Note: This is the first article in a three-part series. Subsequent articles will be published in the Aug. 23 and Aug. 30 issues of Springfield Business Journal.)|ret||ret||tab|

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