Career Tip: References and Your Job Search

Obtain your references just ahead of starting a job search or right at the beginning of a “forced” job search.  Your first three to four references should always be professional, as what companies really want to know is how well you perform in the workplace.  For instance:  what were you best at in your prior work, are you dependable, do you have the skills required by the potential employer, do you complete projects on time, do you manage your time well, are you a self-starter?, etc.  Personal references should also be someone who can talk about your work ethic, how you get along with others, and dependability.  They should not be your drinking buddy, the person you haven’t seen in 10 years, or an individual who can’t answer the “biggest weakness” question without torpedoing your candidacy.  Never use an individual as a reference you haven’t spoken with personally; no one wants a surprise call suddenly asking for a reference about you.  Quality references significantly improve your chances of being hired, so select them wisely.  To your job search success!

GIVE THEM TWO WEEKS

Many people over the years have ask me the reason for giving two weeks’ notice, and why it’s important in leaving a job.  This subject often comes up when someone I know or a client feels like they were mistreated and either want to “get back” at the employer by just leaving, or don’t feel it is warranted based on their perceived or true maltreatment in the workplace.  Certainly anyone can justify merely not showing up one day and “sticking it to the man,” but I am here to argue that is not the way to end your employment at any company. 

First, you don’t know what a past employer might say when called for a reference.  Some employers are told by lawyers not to say anything but the dates of employment for any past employee, however they can say anything they like – there is no law against it.  Leaving in the best way, by giving that two weeks’ notice may be just the thing that gets you a great reference, or at least keeps them from saying anything negative about you. 

Second, you know that you did the right thing and that is important.  Young people are especially bad about quitting jobs on a whim, but later in life they regret that decision as they mature in workplace ethics and career management.  Why have this type of regret looming over you, don't add to the list by just quitting without notification. 

Three, and maybe most importantly, many companies will allow you to return to their organization years later, with all of your tenure, vacation time, etc., if you just give two weeks’ notice and then actually show up and work through that two weeks.  You leave in what they call “good stead” which means for all intents and purposes you have done the mature thing.  You may say, I would never go back, but don’t be so sure, as we can never truly know what might happen five or even 10 years down the road. 

Make a good decision when leaving an organization.  Whether they let you stay the two weeks or tell you to clean out your desk leave immediately, you have used proper career management etiquette and just may get a positive review from doing so or another job when you need one years in the future.  To your career success!

References and Your Job Search

Obtain your references just ahead of starting a job search or right at the beginning of a “forced” job search.  Your first three to four references should always be professional, as what companies really want to know is how well you perform in the workplace.  For instance:  are you dependable, do you have the skills required by the potential employer, do you complete projects on time, do you manage your time well, are you a self-starter?, etc.  Personal references should also be someone who can talk about your work ethic, how you get along with others, and dependability.  They should not be your drinking buddy, the person you haven’t seen in 10 years, or an individual who can’t answer the “biggest weakness” question without torpedoing your candidacy.  Never use an individual as a reference you haven’t spoken with personally; no one wants a surprise call suddenly asking for a reference about you.  Quality references significantly improve your chances of being hired, so select them wisely.  To your job search success!