Reference Tips for First Time Job Seekers

Having a good list of references is an important part of landing that first job. Your resume, cover letter, and interview say a lot about your character and accomplishments, but that is you talking about yourself.  A reference is a hiring manager’s opportunity to confirm with someone else that you are as good in person as you look on paper and perform in an interview. For job seekers with little or no work experience, finding and asking the right person to be your reference can be tough.  Who should you ask?  Here are some tips to help you.

Who Do I Ask for a Reference when I have no work experience?
 
As you move into the world of work, reference lists primarily consist of individuals you have worked with and for who can attest to your work-related skills and character. As a first-time job seeker, your reference list will mostly include people who can attest to your character and how they feel you would do as an employee. 

Here are some helpful qualities of a great professional reference:

• Authority – someone of stature, accomplishment, seniority, or with a well-known reputation in your community.   Their reputation will reflect on you. (e.g. the town mayor or a well-known local business leader)
   
• Experience – someone who works in the same industry or occupation you’re applying for is more meaningful, all other things being equal (e.g. a family friend who works in the industry)
   
• History – a relationship measured in years is better than one measured in weeks (e.g. a pastor or coach)
   
• Knowledge – someone with deep knowledge of you and your diverse qualifications is better than someone who only knows little about you personally or professionally (e.g. a teacher)
   
• Context – someone with knowledge of how you might perform on the job is better than someone who just knows you personally (e.g. a coworker)
   
• Enthusiasm –someone who is excited to talk to about you and will give a glowing recommendation is better than someone who will give short or lukewarm responses to a reference checker (e.g. a neighbor or friend)
   
• Honesty – a reference that contradicts your application or appears to be stretching the truth about your qualification can work against you

Here are some potential personal reference categories:

• People you have done odd jobs for – You may not have held a formal job, but you may have mowed a neighbor’s lawn, babysat or other types of odd jobs from time to time. The individuals who hired you to do these jobs make great references. They can speak specifically to your performance. 
   
• Teachers/Professors – If you’re a student in college or high school, getting a reference from a teacher or professor is a great idea. Identify a teacher that you have a good relationship with and who can attest to your character and skills.
   
• Volunteer Supervisors – If you regularly volunteer your time, the people you work with in that capacity are great references.  While you are not paid for your work, a potential employer would appreciate hearing how you do in that setting. 
   
• Coaches/Organization Leaders/Club Advisors – If you are a part of a sports team, a service organization, an academic club, or another type of extracurricular activity the adults who help lead that group could be good references.  They know your work ethic and could speak to it.
   
• Neighbors/Family Friends - Neighbors or family friends can be great references particularly if you have known them for a while.  They can speak directly to your character.

It is a good idea to have references form different categories listed above.  If a potential employer asks for three references, don’t give them the names of three teachers or three family friends, give them a teacher, a volunteer supervisor and someone who you babysit their children.  If you provide them three teachers, the employer only learns about you in a school setting, and they want to learn about you in different settings to make an informed decision about how you would perform on the job.  

The important thing to remember is that whoever you choose, be sure that they know you well and you are confident they will give a positive reference.

How Do I Ask For a Reference?

Make sure that you ask for permission to use someone as a reference before you give it to a potential employer.  Don’t be shy to ask, here are some tips:

• Ask your preferred contacts to be a reference before you list them on an application.  In person or by phone is preferable so they can ask you questions. Asking via email or text can be acceptable depending on your relationship but...
   
• …If they agree, send them the details regarding the job as well as your resume so that they are familiar and can tailor their comments to needs and requirements of the position.
   
• Remember, you are asking for a favor, they can say no. Be polite and friendly and be sure to ask rather than demand.
   
• If the reference seems hesitant or unwilling, thank them and find someone else. You want all your references to be positive and a hesitant individual may not be the best person to speak to a potential employer on your behalf.
   
• If you think a prospective employer will call your reference, try to let them know in advance.  This way they can be prepared to speak and are also on the lookout for a phone call or email. 
   
• As they agreed, ask how they would like to be contacted and compile their full name, job title, preferred method of contact and their relationship to you.  
   
• Be sure to keep your references updated on how your job search progresses and send a personalized note to thank them afterward.

Preparing for an interview is key

Congratulations!  You now have an interview.  This means that you are one of a limited pool of applicants that are being considered for the job.  Just as you have done in the steps leading up to the interview, preparation is key. 

Some tips to prepare for the interview:

• Learn as much as you can about the company and position.  Talk to people in your network who work for the company, read over the website, read over the original job posting.
  • Showing that you know about the company will impress your interviewer and better allow you to explain how your skills and knowledge can help the company
  • Understand the Essential Employability Skills and think about how they could apply to the job
• Do a Practice Interview with these Sample Questions, if possible.
  • Your local career counselor may have the ability to help you
• Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the company, job and work environment
• Bring two copies of your resume and a list of references as well as two forms of identification
• Don’t bring anyone else with you to the interview.  If someone gives you a ride, ask them to stay in the car or come back later to pick you up
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to the scheduled time.  If the interview is being held somewhere you are not familiar with, you may want to find the interview location a day or two ahead to ensure you know where to go.
• Watch your appearance!
  • Make sure are clean and neat.  If needed, get a haircut, and/or trim beards and mustaches.
  • Be yourself, but don’t go too heavy on the makeup, perfume, cologne
  • Wear clothes appropriate to the situation that are clean and neat. Use an iron if they are too wrinkled and polish your shoes, if needed.
  • Don’t smoke before or during the interview & don’t chew gum.
• Turn off your cell phone.

During the interview:

• Introduce yourself with confidence, greet all interviewers with a firm handshake, make eye contact and introduce yourself using your first and last name. 
• You will probably be nervous but watch your body language.  Sit up straight, keep your feet on the floor and try not to fidget.
• Try to get a business card from all interviewers or write their name and title down in a notepad

After the interview:

• Provide hard copies of your resume and references, if requested.
• Be prepared to schedule a second interview if requested.
• Be prepared to discuss an offer or call to start work
• Within 48 hours, send a thank you note to all interviewers, thanking them for their time and restating your interest and qualifications for the position. 

Interviews are not all face-to-face.  Some employers prefer multiple rounds of interviews to help narrow a field.  Often these first rounds are completed over the phone or via a video call, while the later rounds are normally in person.

The great thing about a telephone interview is that you can have notes ready to review without the interviewer being aware that you are referring to them.  Take advantage of this, be prepared and have multiple items ready to refer to such as:  your resume, the job description, questions to ask the employer, notes about the company and your calendar to schedule a second interview.  Practicing the interview with a friend can be very helpful and a good way to get feedback about how you come across over the phone.

Other things to remember when participating in a phone interview:

• Conduct the interview in a quiet place alone.  Ignore any distractions such as a doorbell, another phone ringing and disable call waiting, if possible
• Standing up during the call will help your voice project better, you will also feel more engaged
• Be enthusiastic and smile, as this will come through in your voice
• Use a landline, if possible.  They have a clearer connection with less of a chance to being disconnected.
• Speak slowly and clearly.  Your voice is the only way to set yourself aside from the other candidates.

A video interview is becoming more and more popular as a first means of interview as the technology and internet connections become faster and more prevalent.  The better way to do a video interview is through your computer, but a cell phone will work as well.  Just like a telephone interview, solid preparation is helpful.  Practicing an interview with a friend ahead of time will get you comfortable with using the software – Skype, Zoom, Go-to-Meeting, etc. – and allow you to get more comfortable

Video interview tips:

• Conduct the interview in a quiet place alone.  Ignore any distractions such as a doorbell, another phone ringing and disable call waiting, if possible
• Dress for the interview just as you would for an in-person interview
• Adjust the camera, sound volume and background.
• Close all other programs on your computer
• Sit up straight, don’t fidget or spin in your chair
• Look directly at the camera, avoid the temptation to watching the interviewer on screen.
• Only refer to a cheat sheet when you need to, and make sure it is not seen by the camera.