When applying for new jobs, it’s important to list great references. Here are three steps to ensure you pick the right ones and that they’re prepared to discuss why you’re the perfect person for the job.
- Ask the right people. Who will be the most enthusiastic about you? Enthusiasm matters as much as substance—the slightest degree of hesitation from a reference could sink your candidacy.
- Prepare them. Provide them with the job title and description, and tell them exactly what information you want them to convey to the hiring manager. Are there any key insights you were unable to mention during your interview? References can fill in the gaps.
- Reach out to backdoor references. These are mutual contacts who the hiring manager could reach out to but who aren’t on the list of references that you provided. (Think: a former colleague who works at the company where you’re applying.) Getting in touch with them about your application could help your candidacy.
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