Q & A: References 101

While résumés and cover letters get a lot of attention, your professional references are equally important in the job hunt. After all, the information these contacts share could prompt a hiring manager to extend a job offer to you or cross you off the list of potential candidates.

To help you develop and maintain a stellar reference list, here is a collection of 10 frequently asked reference-related questions:

Q: Do I need to include the phrase, "References Available Upon Request" at the bottom of my résumé?
A: No. If hiring managers want to review your reference list, they understand that you'll provide it to them.

Q: How many references should I list?
A: Hiring managers typically expect job seekers to provide three to five references.

Q: Whom should I use as a reference?
A: Former managers, colleagues, direct reports and fellow members of professional associations are all excellent reference candidates. The best references know you well and will provide an inquiring employer with a positive overview of your performance on the job, while offering specific anecdotes that speak to your best skills and attributes.

Also, remember that your references are a reflection of you. Choose people who are professional and have strong communication skills.

It's equally important that a prospective employer can easily track down your references. Select people who are responsive and available. Regardless of all the wonderful things references would say about you, they won't do you -- or the hiring manager -- any good if they don't promptly return phone calls.

Q: I'm just starting my career and don't have much of a work history. Whom can I use as a reference?
A: Employers understand that job applicants fresh out of school don't necessarily have a robust list of professional contacts. That being said, some hiring managers will still request a reference list. In addition to former bosses, consider asking a professor, mentor or leader of a school organization to provide a reference. Just make sure you identify someone who knows you well and will give you a positive recommendation. It is not advisable to list family members or friends because of their obvious lack of objectivity.

Q: Should I contact people before listing them as references?
A: Absolutely. Ask your contacts for permission to include their names on your reference list. You also should inform them of the jobs you're seeking and the skills required for those roles. Be sure to send your references an updated résumé and verify their contact information.

Q: Do I need to provide anything beyond the reference's name, job title and contact information?
A: While those are the basics, you'll help your cause by writing a brief explanation of how you know the person, how long you've known the person and why you chose to include him or her. Example: "I worked closely with manager John Doe for five years. As my supervisor at XYZ Corporation, he promoted me three times and nominated me for the firm's salesperson of the year award twice. He can attest to my strong sales skills and team-building abilities."

Q: How should I format my reference list?
A: While there are no hard-and-fast formatting rules, it makes good sense to use the same font style and point size you used in your résumé and cover letter. In addition, be sure to include your name and contact information on the sheet.

Q: Do employers really check references?
A: While some employers won't check a single reference, most do and may even contact every person on your list. In fact, some employers will go so far as to ask your references for the names of other people they can contact. This is just one of the many reasons it pays not to burn bridges with anyone you deal with in a professional capacity.

Q: How should I respond if a prospective employer asks to speak to my current employer, but my supervisor is unaware that I'm seeking a new job?
A: Simply state the facts. Explain that your manager doesn't know you're interviewing for other jobs, and that you'd prefer that he or she not be contacted. As an alternative, you might give the prospective employer the name of a trusted colleague at your company. Just remember that no matter how discreet you are, there is always a chance your job search will become public. This is the risk all employed job seekers must weigh.

Q: If an employer calls me for a job interview, should I give them my reference list during the meeting?
A: Don't walk in and immediately give the list to the interviewer. However, it is beneficial to have your reference list on hand. If the interviewer makes a request, closing the meeting by handing him or her your reference list shows that you are highly organized, prepared and confident that people have great things to say about you.

Your professional references list can play just as pivotal a role in securing a job offer as your résumé and cover letter, so carefully consider with whom you put potential employers in touch and maintain communication with these contacts. You should always be thinking about the individuals you would include on your reference list should you enter the job market unexpectedly and maintain a strong professional network to ensure you have the widest pool from which to choose. After all, you never know when a positive word from a professional contact will give you the slight edge you need to land the job you seek.

Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

Copyright 2006 Robert Half International.