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2005-12-27 Career News
Speak with your references
before beginning a job search
When you decide to conduct a new job search, consider it a good idea
to verify and touch base with your references.
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History has taught us that people are as changeable as the wind. I am
sure that we have all had an experience where a friend or acquaintance
said one thing and then changed it to something else a day later. This
is human nature and nobody can control the changes except the person making
the change.
With that being said, let’s consider your job references. When you
decide to look for a new job, it’s a good idea to touch base with
your references.
Stage your tasks
Looking for a new job and verifying that your references are still on
your side can be a staged process. You can begin your job search and post
your resume before contacting your references but don’t wait too
long.
Step One – get noticed
A good first step in your job search is to get your resume posted on all
the job sites. The ResumeDirector service can do this for you. Using
their site, you enter your resume once and it gets posted instantly on
over 90 job sites such as Jobwerx, HotJobs, Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.
To find out more or give it a try, go to this web address:: http://www.jobwerx.com/resume_director.html
Another way to get exposed to recruiters quickly is by sending your resume
to them directly. The ResumeArrow service lets you email your resume right
to the inboxes of thousands of recruiters in your industry and geographic
location. To check out that site, visit this address: http://www.resumearrow.com/def.php3?pc=13CS756
Stage two –email
Once you have posted your resume and sent it to as many recruiters as
possible, send a friendly email to all of your references letting them
know that you are searching for a job. In the email ask them to verify
their contact info and current place of employment.
It is a good idea to attach a copy of your resume to allow your references
to remember where you worked together and what your job responsibilities
were. Most managers deal with lots of employees and prior employees and
they may not remember exactly what you did.
Most, if not all of your references will respond quickly. If you do not
receive a prompt response, then you must assume they either did not get
your message, they chose not to respond or they might be out of town.
No matter what the reason, now is the time to call them.
Stage two – call
When you call, make sure to listen to the undertone of your conversation.
You can verify the contact info and find out what they are doing now but
it is imperative that you listen to what they are saying behind their
words. If you get the feeling that this person really does not want to
be a reference, consider putting them on a separate list of secondary
references.
Most references will do their best to give you an excellent reference
but sometimes outside factors may be influencing their attitude and you
do not want your reference’s attitude to cost you a second interview
or cost you a job.
Stage three – decide
When you talk to your reference, if they sound distant and unconcerned,
they may not be the best person to use. If they are openly hostile, definitely
do not use them. Life and people change on a daily basis and you never
know when someone may change the way they feel about you.
The main goal when applying for a new job is to put yourself in the best
light possible in the eyes of the employer. Everyone has a little tarnish
and picking good references allows you to try and put some polish on it.
All in all, the entire job hunting process is time-consuming and sometimes
a real pain. Be proactive and eliminate any potential pitfalls by speaking
with your references up front and deciding if you want to keep them as
a reference.
You may also wish to consider using a professional reference checking
firm. This can provide you with another level of assurance that your references
are not badmouthing you. To find out about Allison and Taylor, a company
that does this, visit this web address: http://www.jobwerx.com/at.html
For a list of frequently asked interview questions and some model answers,
visit this web site: http://www.jobwerx.com/resources/jobsearchhandbook-id=947197_585.html
For the Complete Job Interview Guide, visit this web site: http://www.jobwerx.com/interviewdownloads.html
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