should you be interviewed, be prepared to provide the names and contact information of possibly four (4) people who can vouch for you. Do not list family members as references.

These are people who know you from an employment or other non-family context and who will speak well of you. References are generally not contacted unless the company is preparing to extend a job offer.

It is a good idea to inform those people who are willing be a reference for you early in your job search process. Request their permission to be a reference on your behalf. Be prepared to explain what your job search plans are. Also, consider providing the potential reference with examples of qualities you possess and ask the reference if he or she would like a copy of your resume as a reference.

Your Reference List

At the top, include the phrase: "This is a list of references for (and include your name exactly as it as used at the top of your resume)"

On your printed list of references, include:

• The person's name
• Job Title
• Relationship: they worked with you in a previous job or the person was your supervisor.
• Telephone number.

Tip: If, during your interview, the interviewer tells you that he loved his last job at Acme Products and John Jones, a VP at Acme Products is one of your references, be sure to call that fact to the interviewer's attention."That's interesting. Did you know John Jones. He happens to be one of my references. Here is my reference list, John is number two on my list."

Tip: Be sure to include your reference list in your interview folder and be prepared to submit the whole package to your interviewer if it is requested. It is also a good idea to alert your references that you are interviewing so that they can be prepared if the company contacts them.

 

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