"Top 10" Do's and Don'ts for Resume References... and a Resume Reference Page

© David Alan Carter
All Rights Reserved

If you've ever seen Charlie Brown take a run at the football, only to have it pulled away at the last minute by Lucy, you've seen the equivalent of a bad job reference in action.

In the latter scenario, you've passed the gauntlet of interviews with flying colors, all your ducks are in a row, and the gods of employment are smiling down upon you. Then, at the last minute, one of the nice people listed on your resume reference page offers up a lackluster review of your work habits to the hiring official at ACME Baby Wipes. Suddenly, you find yourself flat on your back with a letter in your hand that begins, "Dear Candidate Jones, While we appreciate your interest in our company..."

Ouch. Could it have been prevented? Maybe. While there are always going to be a number of variables beyond your control when it comes to a job search, there are actions you can take (and actions you can avoid) to minimize the risk of a reference tripping you up right before the finish line. Consider the following "Top 10" Do's and Don'ts for Resume References...

1) Don't Put Your References On Your Resume. Nothing dates you like placing your references directly on your resume. Not only is it so 1970's, but you're inviting trouble by pushing references too soon.

2) Don't Even Provide References Until Asked. References are always dicey, so hold them back until you are asked for them.

4) Do Get Permission To Use Someone As A Reference. Not only is this common courtesy, but it gives this individual a heads-up to expect incoming phone calls or emails. And it gives you a chance to hear what this individual might have to say about you. Which leads to the 4th point...

5) Do Ask Each Reference What He Or She Will Say About You. Don't assume your workplace peers and superiors only have good things to say about you. Ask them – point blank – how they would respond to a prospective employer inquiring about your work habits, your reliability, your job performance, and the like. And those who offer up a lackluster response? Keep them off your reference list and look for others to take their place.

6) Do Include Three Professional References And Three Personal Reference. That's pretty much the norm.

7) Do Include Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers Of All References. Include email addresses if this is acceptable to your reference. For professional references, also include job titles and company names. For personal references, include job titles and company names if their inclusion is beneficial to the image you are trying to present.

8) Do Try To Be Strategic In The Selection Of Your References. For example, if you're looking for a position as a nursing supervisor, having references that include a respiratory therapist, an ER physician and a hospital administrator would speak volumes to your ability to work easily across medical disciplines and hierarchies.

9) Do Send Each Of Your References A Copy Of Your Resume. They may be pleasantly surprised at your qualifications, and inclined to parrot– or build upon – those qualifications if the opportunity presents itself. Include a thank you note for taking the time (if called upon) to serve as a reference.

10) Don't Burn Bridges. You never know when an old contact will prove invaluable as a new reference for a potential job.

A Final Thought...

If you're just beginning your resume project, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Keep in mind that most people can write an effective resume -- with time, study, and a bit of marketing skill. But it's not a walk in the park. It will take some work. Is there an alternative? Yes, especially if your resume is going to be fighting for attention in an extremely competitive field, or if your work history or job qualifications are difficult for you to express in a promotional and unbiased manner. In these cases, the services of a professional resume writer might make sense.

If you opt for the latter, seek out a certified resume writer, and a writer who will guarantee the resume he creates will generate interviews. Yes, they're out there.

In fact, I can help you identify that "pro," that special writer who is qualified to deliver a polished document that puts your best foot forward in a tough job market. The page Resume Writer Reviews identifies 10 or more of the more popular companies out there, and I rank these writers on values like...

• Quality of workmanship
• Credentials
• Pricing
• Guarantees

You’ll find star rankings, mini-reviews, and in-depth reviews on each of the 6 companies. Whether you go it alone or trust the services of a pro writer, I wish you the best of luck in your job search! 

– David

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