Professional Resume References: What, Who, and Why?

Sharon Mak All, Job Search Tips Leave a Comment

blue contactBy now you know the importance of submitting a high quality resume. A well-formatted account of personal skill that is absent of any spelling or grammatical errors, and respectfully displays unique character, may be your ticket to accessing the employer you want to work for.

While a resume is useful in piquing an employer’s interest, encouraging the HR department or manager to hire you involves proving your skill. Supplying professional resume references often accomplishes this.

However, these sources are only submitted at an employer’s request. Often times, after a successful interview, the interviewer will ask for these references to be sent via e-mail within a day or two.

This invitation may seem rather casual, but it is important to know that submitting professional references is an extension of your resume. Therefore, resume references should be chosen based on the employer interviewing you. Selecting the right people to represent you could be the ticket to securing a new job.

Who Will You Choose For Professional Resume References?

1)     First, what is the reference section?

A reference section gives your potential employer the contact information of people who can confirm the information on your resume. The people you include should not only be able to discuss your professional skill and conduct, but they ought to have a positive assessment of your character too.

2)     Who should you include as a reference?

There are two categories of people you ought to list for professional resume references.

A professional reference is someone you have worked with in the past, like a former boss or client. (Try to include someone who works in the same industry as the potential employer.)

A personal reference is someone you have worked with but not necessarily in a professional capacity. (This can be an overseer of volunteer work, association groups, or structured projects you have worked on.)

3)     Why does a potential employer want references?

Receiving good reference reviews raises the interviewer’s confidence about your job qualifications. Common questions they seek to know involve your past job title, experience, dependability, special skills, and salary level. This is why it is important to have credible professional references (preferably from a related industry) who can confirm these facts.

Like crafting a cover letter, the references you supply may change depending on which employer asks for them. Be sure to include people who are supportive and will verify the information you have included in your resume. It is important to inform these individuals you have them listed as references so they can expect calls from the interviewers or HR departments.

If you are a good worker, coming up with professional references is nothing to worry about. For you, this may be the easiest section to complete on your resume.

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