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Are References Still Relevant?

Are References Still Relevant?

You felt like you did a great job during the interview and the job is just within your reach. Your future employment could rest in the hands of others including your professional references. When you thought the hiring process could not get more nerve-wracking, it does. What do references mean these days? They add a layer of trust and depth to your job application and it helps to make you stand out as a potential top candidate. Employers see this step as an essential tool that ensures that they bring in individuals with the necessary skills that are in alignment with the company's values and culture. 

What do references mean within the context of a job application?

A professional reference means someone who can speak to your qualifications, experience and skills. These are usually former employers, supervisors, colleagues or even clients who have worked with you and can testify to your unique abilities and strong work ethic.

What do references mean for you? Including references on your job application serves to strengthen your candidacy. It is like offering a glimpse into your professional story through the experience of those who have witnessed your contributions during your career related journey. These testimonials reinforce the information on your resume while giving potential employers a 360 degree view of what you can bring to the table.

What do recruiters want to know during a reference check?

It is essential that you know what employers are looking for when they do reference checks. Here are some reasons why a recruiter will reach out to your references:

To Verify & Assess Your Relevant Skills For The Position

What do references mean exactly when it comes to showing off your skills? This could involve the recruiter asking your references to elaborate on specific examples where you demonstrated top notch technical skills and how you applied them successfully to various projects at your previous position. Recruiters are very interested in soft skills like communication abilities, leadership qualities and problem-solving capabilities. They might ask your references to recount instances where you exhibited excellent teamwork or led a project successfully while focusing on your ability to collaborate effectively.

Performing Fact Checking

When a recruiter calls a reference, they are not just looking to hear good things about you as a potential candidate. They are conducting their research in order to determine if how you have represented yourself aligns with your previous employer’s performance assessment. Conducting a reference check also allows recruiters to ask questions about a concern that has arisen during the hiring process. 

Evaluating What You Are Like As A Coworker

Who you list as a reference matters. Recruiters want to find out the reference’s relationship to you in order to gauge the quality of the data you provide. This is why you should provide professional references who you have worked with or who directly managed you because this helps recruiters understand what you are like within the context of the workplace. Keep in mind that when a hiring company makes a call to your references, it is almost always a good sign. A reference check typically means a hiring manager is nearly ready to extend an offer to you and they want one more confirmation that you are the right fit for their team.

What types of questions do employers ask your references?

Preparing your references in advance with potential questions and discussing your strong points is a great idea when it comes to ensuring a successful reference check. The questions below are designed to provide the recruiter with a well-rounded view of your abilities, work ethic and personality traits:

  • Please describe the quality of their work and how their contributions were made on behalf of the team?
  • How would you describe their strengths and areas for improvement?
  • How does the candidate handle stress and can you provide examples of how they manage challenging situations?
  • Can you describe their communication skills?
  • Would you describe the candidate as someone who takes initiative?
  • Do they manage their time and meet deadlines?

How long after a reference check can you get a job offer?

If a recruiter has requested references, this is an excellent sign! You might be wondering what references mean when it comes to how long you have to wait to get a job offer? The time frame between a reference check and a job offer can vary. This is based on several factors including the company's internal process, the number of candidates they are considering and the complexity of the role. Typically, reference checks are one of the final stages of the recruitment process just before a job offer is sent over. You will often hear back from a potential employer within a week or two after completing the reference checks. Keep in mind that this is not a hard and fast rule. Some companies might move more swiftly, possibly getting back to you within a few days especially if they are eager to fill the position.

How To Ask The Recruiter For Feedback After A Job Rejection

How To Ask The Recruiter For Feedback After A Job Rejection

It has been a few weeks after you interviewed for your dream job. Then you receive that dreaded email response: “We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for this position.” You make the best attempt to handle the news positively, but you start wondering why you did not get the job. We will go into more detail regarding how you can ask for feedback. Hearing what went wrong can help you as a candidate pinpoint the areas that you need to work on, whether it is your body language or your ability to come up with real life examples in a thoughtful manner.

How To Ask For Interview Feedback

Your best bet is to approach the individual that you spoke with early on in the interview process such as a recruiter or Human Resources associate rather than the hiring manager. Hiring managers are busy people and they are not required to provide you with feedback. A recruiter may be more willing to provide feedback since they are responsible for providing a positive experience for all candidates.

You can start off by sending that person an email as soon as the decision has been made. Say that you are appreciative that you had the chance to interview and that you are sorry that you did not get the position. Ask if they could spare a few minutes of their time for a phone call in order to discuss the areas where you could potentially improve. Moving the conversation from email to the phone is important since the recruiter will be more candid on the phone.

How To Ask For Feedback: Entry Level

When you are aiming for an entry-level job, you are more likely competing against a diverse array of other potential candidates. Whether or not the recruiter will be willing to offer you advice comes down to your likability. If you made a good impression, they will be more likely to help as you try to get your career on the right track. You want to come across as someone looking for guidance and advice. 

Ask open-ended questions, such as:

  • How can I position myself in order to be the top candidate for this type of job in the future?
  • If I apply for a similar role at another company, what would you recommend in terms of focusing on developing specific skills?

In response, you should show appreciation for the recruiter sharing their insights. 

How To Ask for Feedback: Mid-level

At this stage of your career with several interviews under your belt, you probably have a good idea of whether or not the interview went well. If the rejection takes you by surprise, you are going to want specifics in terms of a critique.

  • What feedback do you have for me as a potential candidate?
  • Are there any interview strategies you would recommend?

How to Ask for Interview: Executive Level

It becomes easier over time to solicit feedback the further along you are in your career. If the recruiter is hesitant to talk, ask any references that you have if the hiring manager spoke to what they were asked. For instance, if they asked why you held several jobs within a five-year period, this should clue you in that they were potentially apprehensive about your work experience.

What To Do If You Are Met With Silence

Try following up in a week or so if your initial request goes unanswered. Follow up three times and if you are not getting a reply? Some companies have a policy against giving feedback for liability reasons in case it turns into a PR issue or an EEOC discrimination claim. 

How To Make The Most Out Of Your First Job

How To Make The Most Out Of Your First Job

Ready to start your first job? Congrats! The fact that you have landed a full-time job is a big accomplishment and it is definitely worth celebrating. You can take advantage of this occasion by kick-starting your professional development. Here are the steps you should take in order to make the most of your first job and set yourself up for a successful career path.

Identifying Your Career Goals

You never know where your career will take you. Your first job could be a great fit and it could also make you second-guess the field you have chosen. You want to create several long-term career goals during the time that you invest at your first job. Many people think they know exactly what they want to do but it isn’t until they are at their first job that they find out what they don’t like. You can use this time to identify what kind of career path you want to build and in the process you can try to have an open mind. If you are moving in a new direction, allow yourself the ability to explore it.

Get To Know Your Immediate Team Members

You will want to develop strong relationships with your co-workers. Getting to know the people that you work with will help you fit in with your team while also helping you establish a positive rapport. To earn the respect of your boss and co-workers, make sure to avoid engaging in office gossip. If you need to vent about something annoying, you should talk to someone outside of the workplace.

Expand Your Existing Skill Set

Your first job is your opportunity to challenge yourself by learning skills that are outside your comfort zone. Hone in on all the things that you want to learn that will make you a more valuable employee. Your company may provide educational training or certification courses, so take advantage of those offerings. Volunteer yourself for interesting projects, join company committees that align with your interests and offer you the opportunity to utilize your networking skills.

Find The Right Mentor For You

Having a career coach like me to help you formulate ideas and learn new strategies on a regular basis can be really beneficial. Instead of asking any person who holds a different title if they will be your mentor, you can choose someone at your current company who has achieved the kind of career that you want in your life. Start with a small goal.

Study The Company Hierarchy

Find out who makes decisions at your company and compare it with the organizational chart. People in the finance department most likely have more influence than you expected. Once you have identified who the key decision-makers are, focus on building relationships with those particular people.

Create A Catalog of Accomplishments

Make sure to keep a list of your work achievements. A compliments file that you can present to your boss before performance reviews and to employers when you have job interviews. Make sure you update your resume on an ongoing basis so that it reflects your most recent career wins.