References question

[Evilpete]

I was just wondering how many should one have and how many should be professional and how many personal? I'm currently looking for work and just want to make sure I have the right number of references. My only issue is as far as professional ones, most of the people I worked with don't give them for other people (some told me they think my work should speak for itself, rather than rely on someone else's word). I was thinking of getting a tom of personal references, but also maybe "fudging" some and tell a couple of my personal ones to act ans professional ones. Any ideas thoughts?

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[jeffdwright2001]

I try to keep 4-6 people on my reference possibility list. Most companies will only ask for about 3.

I also try to make sure that at least a couple of my folks are willing to give either personal or professional references depending on what my potential employer is asking for.

The critical part is making sure that you notify your reference in advance that someone may be trying to reach them. Even if you have already been told that they would be happy to be a reference, it's only courtesy to givem them a heads up. If for nothing else, to let them know the type of position and company you are looking at. This way they can make sure that their comments are geared towards the best way to make you shine.

It's difficult nowdays to get a former boss or at times even co-worker to speak for you as a reference, because so many companies prohibit what their employees can or cannot say about you. Often (in an effort to avoid lawsuits), they will only verify dates of employment and salaries.

One of the best ways to obtain a professional reference is if you have had a client in the past or someone from another company that you worked closely with and with whom you have had a good professional relationship.

Keep in mind that your personal references come off even better if they have a significant standing in either their work or community. Employers even look at something as simple as whether your reference from college was an Associate Professor or Department Chair.

The higher you can go, the better. Also don't forget that family members and clergy aren't necessarily the best references.

All this to say that there is still a good chance that even though a company says they are going to "check your references", they often don't. Or they won't get in touch with all of them.

I had a prospective employer tell me that he wasn't going to ask for references, because he didn't think I was silly enough to obtain ones that WOULDN'T give me a glowing recommendation. He preferred to judge me on my interview.

Good luck with the job search!