A person who can recommend you or attest to your qualifications for a job is a professional reference. These people ought to be able to vouch for your work ethic, abilities, and accomplishments in previous positions. You are providing your prospective new employer with strong justifications to hire you by utilizing people who can provide specific examples of your work, credentials, and dependability.
When applying for a job, you might also need to submit a list of professional references along with your resume and/or cover letter. Alternatively, you might be asked for references before, during, or after a job interview. In either case, it’s crucial to be organized, have a list on hand, and be prepared to act when necessary.
The objective is to select experts who can verify your work ethic and convince someone that you are the best candidate for the position. Even if you work with someone who is more of a friend than a colleague, you might not want to list them. Using the aforementioned as references could do more harm than good for your employment prospects.
Depending on the position you’re applying for, the interviewer or application form may request a list of character or personal references. This is just like it says—personal. They should be people you know reasonably well because they should be able to speak to who you are as a person. You want them to be able to describe your character and personality to a prospective employer.
Make sure you read an application thoroughly and are aware of whether professional or personal references are requested when speaking with an interviewer or hiring manager. In this manner, you can give them the references they require specifically and those that will best help you land the job. In most cases, they’ll request professional references.
Some interviewers or job applications might ask you to list your current employer and inquire if they have permission to contact them. This could be awkward for you and your current employer in most cases. Before you know you want the position and have received an offer, you probably don’t want your employer to know you’re looking for a new job.
Calling or emailing someone is a good way to ask them to serve as a reference. Ascertain whether they feel comfortable speaking about you and/or your work and whether they believe they know you and/or it well enough. Alternately, you could inquire if they feel at ease providing a favorable reference. By requesting in advance, you give them the option to decline if they don’t feel capable of speaking with someone or don’t have the time to do so.
As soon as you finish speaking with a potential employer, be sure to thank the person for their time and let them know how things are going with your employment. Ask them if they will continue to serve as a reference for you in case you ever need one. Once more, remember to notify them whenever you begin your search and list them so they are aware they may be contacted.
Additionally, you might have a letter of recommendation or reference from a prior employer. You can submit it with a job application or upon request following an interview, along with a list of references. Asking an employer to provide you with a letter of reference is always a good idea (if you part ways amicably), so you can use it in the future.
Should you ask your current employer for a reference?
There is some flexibility in how references are handled, unlike many aspects of the job search process where there are established standards of etiquette. Analyze whether requesting a reference from your current employer will advance or hinder your career goals. You might continue working at your current job for a considerable amount of time while sending out resumes and attending interviews because job searches frequently take time and multiple efforts. You don’t want your employer to overlook you for professional opportunities if you don’t receive any job offers that are compelling enough to leave your current position.
However, occasionally a current employer can strengthen your application for a different job with a positive reference. Even your current employer might be on board with your professional goals and provide extra assistance with your job search. You can decide what to do by taking into account the following factors:
Why are references from current employers valuable?
References from previous employers are important because they can give a prospective employer the most up-to-date details on your strengths as an employee and give them the confidence to extend you an offer.
Although each state has its own laws governing what a former or current employer can mention in a reference, most businesses try to only share factual information and refrain from expressing opinions about an employee. These can still have a significant impact on and provide a lot of information to potential employers. If your employer thought highly of you, they might divulge information about your accomplishments. For instance, they may mention that you met all deadlines for projects or that you received a certain number of contracts.
Potential employers will likely want to address a number of crucial hiring considerations when evaluating your candidacy, such as:
How to ask your current employer for a reference
The steps to take when requesting a reference from a current employer are as follows:
1. Ask for a professional social network recommendation
You might benefit from asking your current employer to write a recommendation for your professional social network profiles before you even start a formal job search. If they concur and offer a favorable, comprehensive recommendation, you could point any prospective employers to it. When they request a reference from a current employer, find out if the online testimonial meets their requirements. Even if it doesn’t work in one situation, it might work in another. In any case, your professional profile is enhanced, which may be useful for upcoming job searches.
2. Prepare for an unfavorable reaction
Think about potential negative outcomes if you have to or want to ask your current employer for a reference. Even if you believe your employer wouldn’t object, you should at the very least plan how you would react if your manager expressed dissatisfaction with you or decided to fire you. You might consider if:
Keep in mind that, despite being difficult, changing jobs is a challenge that professionals encounter frequently throughout their careers. However, you owe it to yourself to properly prepare so that your reference request is successful and your manager is understanding.
3. Meet with your current employer
Request a private meeting in advance with the person who will serve as your reference. Express your gratitude for the opportunities your current employer has given you, regardless of whether you believe it would excite or disappoint them to learn that you’re looking for a new job. Make sure to discuss your reasons for leaving from the perspective of your professional advancement, rather than as criticisms of your current employer. Saying as little as possible about the specifics of your job search, such as the other employers you are considering, may be in your best interest. As you prepare for your next career move, this protects your right to privacy.
4. Remain professional throughout the process
Be as professional as you can while still employed by your current company. If you receive an offer you’d like to accept, give your employer a considerate amount of notice so they can make arrangements to fill in for you. Provide any pertinent updates regarding your job search process. It’s critical to continue giving your all in your current position until you formally depart and to uphold a productive working environment. This makes it possible for you to use all of your previous employers as references in the future.
Should I Let Potential Employers Contact My Current Employer? – Ask J.T. & Dale
FAQ
How do I ask my current employer for a reference?
Say, “I realize this may come as a surprise, but I have been pursuing some new opportunities,” as an illustration. Since you are the most familiar with my most recent work, I would appreciate it if you could serve as a reference for me if I were to move into a position that offers me more responsibility. ”.
What do you say to an employer as a reference?
- Keep the information factual. Avoid opinions about issues such as personal conflicts.
- Qualify what you say. For example, “It was our experience…” or “In this situation…”.
- Make your praise specific. …
- Refer to specific tasks or projects. …
- Avoid examples that highlight a candidate’s weaknesses.
