Your Professional References Matter
When you apply for a job, chances are good the hiring manager is going to want to talk with at least one professional reference. You likely have a history of past employers who you could list as references, but you want to make sure that the references you select are the best ones who will paint you in the most positive light.
Your references can matter a great deal when it comes to available employment opportunities, as hiring managers often place a lot of weight on what your past employers think of you. To make sure you choose the best references to help you succeed in your job search, consider these tips:
- Choose employers who knew you well. While it may seem like it is impressive to put down a big name person, if the individual doesn’t know you very well, they aren’t going to be able to give a meaningful reference about the work you have done. It is best to choose a professional reference who you worked with very closely who can give concrete examples about why you are a great employee.
- Choose references that are relevant to the job. Ideally, you want to make sure that the professional references you list are people you have worked for recently and who have seen your work in the industry where you want to work. References who know what you are capable of within a particular field are going to have a lot more credibility with hiring managers when it comes to determining if you can succeed in a specific position.
- Build your reference base if you don’t have relevant references. If you don’t have a lot of professional references in the field where you are searching for work, develop some professional experience and make connections. Doing temp work or volunteer work can be a great way to find people in the industry you want to work for who can vouch for your abilities.
SmartTalent can help you to find temp work in Lynnwood, Fife, Renton, Kirkland, and surrounding locations so you can build up your professional network and earn new references. We’ll also assist you in finding full-time positions when you are looking for employment. Our staffing professionals are ready to match you with companies who are recruiting for talent now, so give us a call today.
