Comments on: Reference Letters – How To Get Them, Where To Store Them http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/03/01/reference-letters-how-to-get-them-where-to-store-them/ advocacy for the job seeker Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:59:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Resumes, Interviewing Tips « Art of Speaking http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/03/01/reference-letters-how-to-get-them-where-to-store-them/comment-page-1/#comment-15206 Resumes, Interviewing Tips « Art of Speaking Sat, 10 Mar 2007 23:38:03 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/430#comment-15206 [...] Reference Letters - How to Get Them, Where to Store Them [...] [...] Reference Letters – How to Get Them, Where to Store Them [...]

]]> By: Dave Delaney http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/03/01/reference-letters-how-to-get-them-where-to-store-them/comment-page-1/#comment-11987 Dave Delaney Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:48:45 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/430#comment-11987 I actually keep my reference letters right on my blog. I feel that if a potential client or employer likes what they see, it may seal the deal. I agree with Barbara, LinkedIn rocks. I took quotes a long time ago to create this page when I was applying to a poisition with our newspaper, the Toronto Star. I got the job too. http://www.davemadethis.com/star/index.htm I actually keep my reference letters right on my blog. I feel that if a potential client or employer likes what they see, it may seal the deal.

I agree with Barbara, LinkedIn rocks.

I took quotes a long time ago to create this page when I was applying to a poisition with our newspaper, the Toronto Star. I got the job too.

http://www.davemadethis.com/star/index.htm

]]> By: Deb Dib http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/03/01/reference-letters-how-to-get-them-where-to-store-them/comment-page-1/#comment-11984 Deb Dib Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:45:58 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/430#comment-11984 Barbara is absolutely correct--those of us who lead the curve in the resume industry have been weaving testimonials into resumes for years. When used judiciously, testimonials help brand the resume and deliver a "third party endorsement" that establishes a sense of credibility. The reader trusts that it's not just the resume's owner crowing about his accomplishments--they're actually real and look who loves 'em. In addition, testimonials help create chemistry, and a "looking from the outside-in," 360-type feedback that shows that those on the "other side of the desk" appreciate this candidate. Barbara's comment about LinkedIn's testimonial feature is right on target--it's a great way to gather testimonials. If my client has a stellar branded profile and great endorsements I include his LinkedIn URL on his resume. This way the branded profile gives more life and authenticity to the client-reader relationship, and many testimonials can be seen, not just the few on the resume--and employers don't have to wait to get 'em. As a personal brand strategist as well as a resume pro and coach, I appreciate the role of the testimonial in helping brand my client--in fact during the branding process I routinely ask for an array of quotes so that I can look for strength patterns and cull clues about my client's brand from this 360-type data. Jason, another great post about something that is a clear winner in a job seeker's and career manager's tool box. Barbara is absolutely correct–those of us who lead the curve in the resume industry have been weaving testimonials into resumes for years.

When used judiciously, testimonials help brand the resume and deliver a “third party endorsement” that establishes a sense of credibility. The reader trusts that it’s not just the resume’s owner crowing about his accomplishments–they’re actually real and look who loves ‘em. In addition, testimonials help create chemistry, and a “looking from the outside-in,” 360-type feedback that shows that those on the “other side of the desk” appreciate this candidate.

Barbara’s comment about LinkedIn’s testimonial feature is right on target–it’s a great way to gather testimonials. If my client has a stellar branded profile and great endorsements I include his LinkedIn URL on his resume. This way the branded profile gives more life and authenticity to the client-reader relationship, and many testimonials can be seen, not just the few on the resume–and employers don’t have to wait to get ‘em.

As a personal brand strategist as well as a resume pro and coach, I appreciate the role of the testimonial in helping brand my client–in fact during the branding process I routinely ask for an array of quotes so that I can look for strength patterns and cull clues about my client’s brand from this 360-type data.

Jason, another great post about something that is a clear winner in a job seeker’s and career manager’s tool box.

]]> By: Barbara Safani http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/03/01/reference-letters-how-to-get-them-where-to-store-them/comment-page-1/#comment-11911 Barbara Safani Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:09:11 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/430#comment-11911 Jason, An alternative to including the reference letters with the resume is to actually incorporate quotes from the reference letters into the resume. The beauty of doing this is that now your resume doesn't just reflect what you say about yourself...it's backed up by the comments of others and this can increase a candidate's credibility exponentially. For people who don't have written references, consider reconnecting with old bosses, co-workers, and vendors through LinkedIn. The testimonial feature is a great way to gather references easily and it's less awkward than asking for a written reference letter after the formal work relationship has been severed. Jason,

An alternative to including the reference letters with the resume is to actually incorporate quotes from the reference letters into the resume. The beauty of doing this is that now your resume doesn’t just reflect what you say about yourself…it’s backed up by the comments of others and this can increase a candidate’s credibility exponentially.

For people who don’t have written references, consider reconnecting with old bosses, co-workers, and vendors through LinkedIn. The testimonial feature is a great way to gather references easily and it’s less awkward than asking for a written reference letter after the formal work relationship has been severed.

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