Comments on: Should You Coach Your Job Search References? Absolutely! http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2008/08/06/should-you-coach-your-job-search-references-absolutely/ advocacy for the job seeker Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:06:16 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Wendy Terwelp http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2008/08/06/should-you-coach-your-job-search-references-absolutely/comment-page-1/#comment-318412 Wendy Terwelp Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:19:24 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/?p=1399#comment-318412 Nice feedback gang. Here's another story, I worked with one client who insisted on using her references from her college resume. Um, she graduated 15 years ago... I said, "No, we're not using them - until you contact each person and let them know what you've been doing over the years..." She called me later in the week and said, "Thank God I listened to you! One of my professors died and he was on my list!" Yeah. Make sure your references are alive AND can say good things. And a tip from my friend George, a fellow career expert: Don't wait 10 years to contact your references! Stay connected regularly and let them know what you've been up to - that way they'll be sure to provide employers with a strong, up-to-date recommendation. Nice feedback gang. Here’s another story, I worked with one client who insisted on using her references from her college resume. Um, she graduated 15 years ago… I said, “No, we’re not using them – until you contact each person and let them know what you’ve been doing over the years…” She called me later in the week and said, “Thank God I listened to you! One of my professors died and he was on my list!” Yeah. Make sure your references are alive AND can say good things.

And a tip from my friend George, a fellow career expert: Don’t wait 10 years to contact your references! Stay connected regularly and let them know what you’ve been up to – that way they’ll be sure to provide employers with a strong, up-to-date recommendation.

]]> By: Rob Lewis http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2008/08/06/should-you-coach-your-job-search-references-absolutely/comment-page-1/#comment-318284 Rob Lewis Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:01:07 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/?p=1399#comment-318284 No one ever remembers to talk to their references first, and the ones who do just say "hey, you might get a call from so and so, talk me up." That doesn't cut it anymore. You have no know how that person remembers things as well. It's kind of like that game from when we were little "telephone", where you have to tell the next person in line something until it makes it all the way around the room and it's never the same as you heard. Everyone remembers things differently and always from a different prospective. You may be using the wrong references and it would sure be good to know BEFORE the recruiter or hiring manager talks to them. No one ever remembers to talk to their references first, and the ones who do just say “hey, you might get a call from so and so, talk me up.” That doesn’t cut it anymore. You have no know how that person remembers things as well. It’s kind of like that game from when we were little “telephone”, where you have to tell the next person in line something until it makes it all the way around the room and it’s never the same as you heard. Everyone remembers things differently and always from a different prospective. You may be using the wrong references and it would sure be good to know BEFORE the recruiter or hiring manager talks to them.

]]> By: Erika http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2008/08/06/should-you-coach-your-job-search-references-absolutely/comment-page-1/#comment-318153 Erika Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:13:14 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/?p=1399#comment-318153 I think this is a really important piece of job-hunting that frequently gets left out. Most people have a hard enough time remembering what THEY did at a job, let alone trying to remember what YOU did. I think coaching your references is a great way to make sure that your references are prepared and add to your interview. I think this is a really important piece of job-hunting that frequently gets left out. Most people have a hard enough time remembering what THEY did at a job, let alone trying to remember what YOU did. I think coaching your references is a great way to make sure that your references are prepared and add to your interview.

]]> By: Miriam Salpeter http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2008/08/06/should-you-coach-your-job-search-references-absolutely/comment-page-1/#comment-318113 Miriam Salpeter Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:02:28 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/?p=1399#comment-318113 Jason, This is a much overlooked aspect of the job hunt. Many don't even bother to ask references if it is okay to use their names, let alone prepare a cheat sheet! Of course, you should provide an up-to-date, well-written resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments for your references. You should keep your references in the loop if you believe their input could help solidify what you have told the employer. I've written about my own experience with this: http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/be-sure-to-vet-your-references/ I think the bottom line here is to provide the names of references who will care about your search and take the time to offer solid, supportive answers to any questions a recruiter or potential employer asks. You cannot assume that you'll be able to provide pre-written replies for every possible question, so a person who can think on his or her feet (as one would in an interview) is key. The fact is, if your reference didn't know you that well or has a tendency to overlook details, you can coach 'til the cows come home, but it probably won't matter. If you select references who "know the drill" and are on your side, you shouldn't need to go to extremes to be able to expect a solid reference. Miriam Salpeter Keppie Careers Jason,

This is a much overlooked aspect of the job hunt. Many don’t even bother to ask references if it is okay to use their names, let alone prepare a cheat sheet!

Of course, you should provide an up-to-date, well-written resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments for your references. You should keep your references in the loop if you believe their input could help solidify what you have told the employer. I’ve written about my own experience with this:

http://keppiecareers.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/be-sure-to-vet-your-references/

I think the bottom line here is to provide the names of references who will care about your search and take the time to offer solid, supportive answers to any questions a recruiter or potential employer asks. You cannot assume that you’ll be able to provide pre-written replies for every possible question, so a person who can think on his or her feet (as one would in an interview) is key. The fact is, if your reference didn’t know you that well or has a tendency to overlook details, you can coach ’til the cows come home, but it probably won’t matter.

If you select references who “know the drill” and are on your side, you shouldn’t need to go to extremes to be able to expect a solid reference.

Miriam Salpeter
Keppie Careers

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