Probably you landed on a job advert in the newspaper or a friend did you a favour and forwarded you a link for the position to apply for. Once you read through the requirements, you know that you’re the right candidate they’re searching for.
You start on the application process right away, but as you conclude, you wonder who exactly to use as your reference.
References are necessary while applying for any job; these are people who can affirm your skills and abilities as a worker. Usually three references are needed.
It’s advisable to let people know that you’re using them as references because they should be able to sell you to the hiring manager if asked about you.
According to the Balance Careers, your references will be your previous employers. However, you can also ask other people, including teachers, volunteer leaders, colleagues, and even friends. Or, you can use them as additional references, especially if you’re concerned your current or previous employer will give you a bad review.
You can also include other people with whom you have had a professional relationship. For example, colleagues, business contacts, customers, and clients.
According to Iryn Kirabo, a businesswoman and media personality, while choosing a reference, you should use someone who would give you a positive report. This doesn’t mean exaggeration, but the person should describe you in a way that would make the hiring manager have you on his or her team.
She recommends having a conversation with your reference and even bother to know if they really know you well. You wouldn’t want someone who would speak negatively of you or someone that can’t defend you.
"It’s quite unfortunate that most job seekers prefer having references from known or already established people with high titles yet they don’t actually know their character, strengths, capabilities, and much more, such people can’t help you much,” she says.
Kirabo adds that don’t assume that your reference knows you fully, but rather provide them with your updated resume and any other related materials to inform them of your skills and experiences.
She carries on that once you’re given permission to use someone as your reference, let them know that they may be contacted soon for some questions from the hiring manager, if you don’t, they may forget all about that, perhaps some people may not pick calls from unsaved numbers, a thing that may risk your chances of getting a job in case they’re not in reach.
For her, it’s better to also find references who are less busy because you’re assured they will spare some time to help you.
Daniel Ganza, a public relations consultant in Kigali explains that while requesting someone to be your reference, provide them with more information, for instance, they should know the kind of jobs you are applying for, so that they’re not caught off guard while answering certain questions.
He also says that you can send your request via email as it’s professional but also enables someone to be comfortable to decline if they don’t feel comfortable being your reference, which isn’t the case with a phone call because someone may just accept for the sake, yet not interested.
Experts say that when asking someone to be your reference; don’t put them on the spot. Instead of asking, "Will you be a reference for me? " Rather inquire if they feel qualified or comfortable providing you with a reference.
Ganza believes that it is kind to keep your reference updated of what’s happening, in case you’re offered the job, let them know because they would want to know if they were helpful and recall to thank them for their time, and efforts.