References - Don't Take My Word for It

The last significant piece in the job hunt preparation puzzle is references. The importance of references who can validate your experiences, training, and character cannot be overlooked. However, there is some debate concerning whether references should be included on the resume or not. Many career counselors currently suggest excluding references and in their place providing the line, "References are available upon request." The primary reason for excluding references from your resume is that in some cases potential employers may choose to call these references before your interview, and you may be eliminated from the running by something a reference has said. Some people contend that information about your past work experience should be obtained only after the employer has had a chance to meet you in an interview. In any case, employers will assume that you are able to provide references, so if you are in a crunch for room, omit mention of references completely.

If you do choose to include references on your resume, be sure to choose people who will provide positive feedback on your character and performance as well as those that like you.

In the interview, however, references are mandatory. Preparation for an interview should include a list of references. For each reference, you should provide:

• Name
  
  
• Title Position
  
  
• Company
  
  
• Company address
  
  
• Contact numbers
  
  
• Email address
  
  
• Relationship to yourself
  

Your reference sheet should be typed up neatly as a separate page, but in the same style and on the same paper as that used for your resume. Also remember to include your contact details on the references sheet in case it gets separated from your resume. This prevents the potentially embarrassing situation of an employer phoning a reference and inquiring about the wrong person.

How to Choose a Reference

References are not used for a popularity contest, so limit them to three or four of those people who are able to validate your technical skills as well as your personal attributes and values.Your reference choices may include past employers, coworkers, professional contacts, instructors, and even someone who has just known you for some time. Do not include family members or anyone you have a direct personal relationship with.

Just selecting people who will give you a positive reference is usually not enough. It is necessary to choose references that can provide the information the employer needs to make an informed decision regarding your potential employment. References that are only able to confirm that you are a nice person are not adequate.The following list contains some guidelines to follow when you are choosing your references:

• You need to choose a reference that can confirm your technical skills.This may be a coworker, a client, or a supervisor.
  
  
• As well as professional references, it is also worth listing personal references, but if possible, try to use people who have a recognized standing in society, such as a judge, policeman, school principal, and so on.
  

CEI

• For those just entering the IT industry, academic references from instructors are often used.
  

Remember to always confirm with your references before giving their names to employers. It can be embarrassing if your reference is called and can't remember you. If possible, discuss the job responsibilities with your references. The more information your references have about the job, the better prepared they will be to answer your potential employer's questions.

If your references are willing to provide you with written recommendations, it is always worthwhile to take them with you on interviews. However, make sure that you do not exclude the fact that these same references may be approached for other references by a potential employer.

Supporting Evidence

During your job search preparation phase, you should also make sure that you have copies of any certificates or awards you have received. Whether or not you will ever be required to produce them at an interview will depend on the potential employer, but it is a step that takes very little time and serves to reinforce a level of organization. Items that should be included are high school, college, or university graduation certificates, technical course completion certificates, and any certificates issued for the completion of a certification program.

Once you have collected all of your certificates, your resume, your cover letters, and references, it's a good idea to buy a presentation folder in which to keep them. When attending interviews, it is often less threatening to carry a folder into the interview than a briefcase or a bag. Also, keeping your documents in a folder will protect them from becoming dirty or crumpled.