As you may have found, at an interview situation there is an imbalance of power that exists in the relationship. When a person has power, it has an effect on the people, environment and events around them, even if they have no desire to do so.

We can’t control the conversation, we can only control our component of the discussion and the rest takes care of itself.

Another component that we can control and is quite commonly overlooked is the role that referees play in our resume.

Job references are an unavoidable part of applying for a new role or job. This process is a valuable tool in recruitment to validate your gifts/skills and competencies. However, in order to control the dialogue and swing things in your favour, there’s a better way to supply references. 

Referees are critical to closing out the opportunity, so choose referees who are on your side and will enhance your prospects for success. In addition, you need to learn how to prep your referees to ensure consistency of messaging and you need to leverage your recommendations on LinkedIn as an initial reference check process.

So your amazing cover letter, your gift loaded resume, and well prepared story telling of your achievements got you to this stage… the referee check. Well done! Now, you are handing your future opportunity to get THAT job to people you know well and have worked well with previously. 

Therefore, this decision to choose your referees and prime them is critical to your success.

FREE ADVICE from an Executive Recruiter:

“One thing I found helpful as an Executive Recruiter, was that once we got to the referee stage with a candidate, the candidate would not only get in touch with their referees but also often provide me with times to call them. This meant I wasn’t playing phone tag for a week or more whilst the candidate nervously awaited the outcome.“

Remember, the decision to hire you is an economic decision. If an organisation or person is going to spend money on you and invest in your services, they need to make sure they get the decision right. More than money is on the line if they get it wrong!

• You wouldn’t pre-purchase accommodation or a trip without checking trip advisor, would you?
• You wouldn’t buy a car without checking its safety record, would you?
• When you look for a job in an organisation, you find out about them, their culture and their values, don’t you? You may even use a website like – Glass Door Review, to check them out.

Therefore, it would only make sense and be of service to you, that you have 3 great referees you can trust and call upon and have had regular and recent positive contact with.

Ultimately, your referees are there to support the decision that the employer company is about to make. It would be rare that a disgruntled former employer would find their way onto the reference list, so the assumption is that the referee will be supporting you. So, use the referencing process to your advantage. 

Think the magic 3’s. Three golden rules / processes you must take when sharing your referees with that potential employer:

1. Send the position description, job ad to your referees;
2. Tell them what strengths and skills / gifts aligned to the potential role, you would like them to share about you; and
3. Make sure you follow up the email with a phone call prior to them being contacted by the recruiter, and that they are available to speak about you during the designated timeframe. Have you got the best contact info for them?

Finally, thank your referees for time pre and post, regardless if you are successful or not at this opportunity.

Don’t forget that the LinkedIn profile has the digital referee system in place too. Make sure yours is updated, glowing and adds value to your brand.

Referees play a crucial role in helping you to get across the employment line. You have a role to play in the selection, preparation and follow up of referees to ensure you maximise their potential impact. Helping them to understand what you need will ensure that you get consistency of messages and focus on the areas of competency and character that are relevant to the role. 

If you need some other ideas, support and or cool ways of thinking about self and communicating your career story, contact me at james@yellowboxcareers.com.au or check out our amazing products at https://yellowboxcareers.com.au/