A common element of the recruitment and selection process is reference checking. Reference checks are made to:

• Ensure that you told the truth about yourself
• Get a feeling for how you work with others
• Pick up otherwise undisclosed information, either positive or negative
  

You are likely to be asked to provide detail of 2-3 professional referees who can comment upon your professional and personal attributes. Before providing contact details of referees consider the following:

• Who is the best person to give me a reference? (often potential employers will want to talk to your immediate supervisor or manager)
• What do I want the referee to say about me?
• What will they say is the reason I left their employment?

Guidelines for handling your referees

1. Before giving out details of your referees contact them and check that they are happy to act as a reference. Even if they have agreed to once in the past they may not wish to do so in the future.

2. What are the referee’s current contact details? (Have they moved position or company since you last spoke to them?).

3. Is there a best time for them to be contacted? If your referee works shifts they may not be receptive to phone calls in the morning. Similarly, if they are going on holiday they may not wish to be called.

4. Are they bound by any company policies when giving a reference? Some companies have policies regarding references which may restrict what information the referee can give and how it is given.

5. If your name has changed for any reason, make sure your referees know you by your new name.

6. Send your referees a copy of your resume and cover letter.

7. Coach your referees on what skills to highlight when called.

8. Ask them to tell you when they are called for a reference. This allows you to thanks them, find out what they said about you and add strength to your networks.