Gain an Edge with Good
Job References.

The Challenge

Even if providing job references is allowed people have a way of changing jobs every few years. And companies have a way of getting purchased, closing or relocating. This makes former supervisors hard to find. Add to that the trend toward automated employment verification and you can easily see the problem.

A Long Term Strategy

You must be proactive when it comes to getting and then providing prospective employers with job references. Consider the following ideas on how to do this.

1. Don't burn bridges. If you are leaving a job for a better opportunity with another company resist the urge to tell your former manager (or co-workers) exactly what is wrong with her, the job or the company. It won't do you or your soon to be former co-workers any good. And it will have a negative influence on a potentially good reference.

   Always take the high road. As long as you did a good job that is what your supervisor will remember. And you'll be able to use this person as a reference even if you didn't like her or the company.
   
   

2. Start a hard file now for copies of any positive feedback you receive about the job you're currently doing. You want hard copies in case you lose your job unexpectedly (as in company downsizing or lay-off). It is usually easier to retrieve a hard copy file than an electronic one in a 'surprise' situation.

   I used to call mine the "That a Girl" file. Copies of every little thank you note, pat on the back email or verbal complement about the job I was doing went into that file.

   If it was a verbal comment I would write down the date, what was said, who said it, their title or company affiliation and a brief note about any other pertinent info (I.e. project name etc). This file also came in handy at performance review time. Speaking of which...

3. Keep hard copies of all your performance reviews. Do this even if you don't keep any of the information mentioned above. You should always receive a copy of your reviews and if a copy is not offered, ask for one.
4. When you leave a position, ask for a letter of recommendation. Do this even if you're just changing departments within the same company. You never know what the future holds and if you decide to build on that experience a letter will come in handy.
   
   A Letter of Recommendation should include:
   
   • Company letterhead whenever possible
   • The letter writer's title and working relationship to you
   • How long you were with the company (or in the position)
   • What your major responsibilities were
   • How well you met or exceeded expectations.
   • Any other information that would work in your favor. (Information such as your ability to meet deadlines or your successful completion of a special project should definitely be included.)
   • The author's contact information for follow-up.

   If you work for a company that keeps managers from providing job references ask your manager if she would be willing to provide a letter on her personal stationary instead.

   (This worked for me when I was laid off from a company after 8 years. Since it was against company policy to give "employment references" an executive level director offered to write a personal recommendation letter on her stationary. Needless to say I gratefully accepted her offer.)

   Even when provided with letters of recommendation smart prospective employers will call to speak with the author of the letter. But if that person has moved on or the company has been sold or closed a reference letter will be a valuable substitute.

   Last but not least a reference letter will give you a good idea of the kind of verbal reference that manager would give if asked. Some letters of recommendation are lukewarm in tone. If so you should take this into consideration when deciding whether to use this manager in your list of job references.




5. Ask a former peer or colleague to vouch for you. Have you ever been in a situation where you and your supervisor did not see eye-to-eye? If so you might be reluctant to give that person as an employment reference. In that case a former co-worker may be able to help.

   This can also be a good option if you're looking for another job while already working. Just be very sure that the co-worker is trust worthy and won't allow the news to leak to your current manager or other co-workers.

   As long as the co-worker is familiar with the quality of your work and how you are perceived by others he may be a suitable substitute.

6. If you've ever worked through a staffing firm, ask your recruiter to act as a reference. This can be a strong endorsement. Your placement person will be able to speak knowingly about your competence as well as relay any favorable information she received about you from her clients.

7. If you've been self employed ask former customers for letters of recommendation. Think about your most satisfied clients. They are the ones who will be most helpful. Vendors may also be able to provide a reference as to your professionalism or sense of responsibility.
8. Ask supervisors or colleagues from volunteer or community service work to act as a reference. If they are willing to write a letter of recommendation, so much the better.

9. Have personal references speak about you in terms of professional characteristics. For example a recent college graduate might ask former professors or study group partners to speak on his behalf. Personal references will be most effective if they are able to talk knowingly about the quality of your work, your ability to meet deadlines, your team work or other personal attributes easily transferable to the work place.

It's ironic that so many companies today are reluctant to provide job references. Especially so because these same companies may insist on hiring people who are able to supply good employment references.

I've spoken with hundreds of former employers about previous employees. It's been my experience that when someone has good things to say nine times out of ten s/he is happy to share that information regardless of company policy.

Because of this when no one is willing to talk about a former employee it's human nature to wonder what's wrong. It may not be just, but in situations where two candidates have apparently equal knowledge, skills and abilities, the job will go to the one with good job references.

Bring able to provide favorable job references (in whatever form possible) is a powerful tool to help you Win the job.