Posted on Sun, Oct. 16, 2011

You can break through the clutter of references just as you do the clutter of résumés by making references powerful advocates.

Consider an insight from Sam Levine, managing partner of The Buttonwood Group, a recruiting firm in Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. “I always encourage job seekers to select references who are connected in some way with the potential employer,” he states. “The employer will value those references much more.”

John Wojcio approaches the list of references with imagination. He’s assistant director, Office of Creative Services, at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y., and career coach at careercoachwoj.com.

Wojcio hasn’t exactly kept his strategy a secret since he implemented it in an IBM outplacement center eight years ago. He recommends making a list of references full-bodied so that it extends beyond mere contact information to substantive information that helps you, your references and the employer.

Although he has no statistics, he’s gathered anecdotal information from the full range of professionals, software engineers, middle managers and laborers with whom he’s worked.

Wojcio suggests adding a sentence to the right of several lines of the reference’s contact information to support your choice of that person, such as:

"Mr. Bob T. Boss

I’ve reported to Bob for the past five years. He’s best able to answer questions about my project management skills, supervisory skills, staff training expertise and dependability.

His Title

His Organization”

This type of information, he points out, contributes to your being perceived as “thoughtful, thorough and standing out from the competition.

“The whole idea is to have value,” Wojcio adds. “People think of bells, whistles, musical cards and musical videos. How will we introduce value? This format catches the attention of hiring agents; it’s useful for references; and it creates a better communication. It helps references prepare.”

IN ADVANCE

To maximize the contribution references make to your search, consider meeting, an idea proposed by Sean Cook of Cook Coaching & Consulting LLC in Athens, Ga. In that meeting you might even get some ideas.

“Give them the information they need to be a good advocate,” Cook says. “This includes a current résumé, a list of jobs (or the types of jobs) you’re applying for and a letter or list indicating the areas you feel the reference could probably comment on.”

He further recommends explaining why you’re seeking the particular kinds of jobs you are so they can help make a strong case of your fitting into the environment an employer is targeting.

You’re not finished here, though, because Cook maintains that you should ask the sticky question about weaknesses or other areas references might not want to address. “Clear this up before a reference accidentally shoots your chances to smithereens with brutal honesty,” he suggests. “If a reference can comment on your weaknesses, your awareness of them and steps you’re taking to address them, it may defuse some of the concerns.”

Wojcio would concur, commenting that you might offer some information to include, such as the fact that you reported to a person for a certain number of years, and “measure the reference’s enthusiasm.”

He also advises listing a second reference who will do more than parrot the first so that a reference check makes you three-dimensional.

Not all employers check references, but be prepared for the ones who do. Make your references as invaluable as you can, just like the experience of working with them.

Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2011 Passage Media.