Professional References

References won't necessarily get you the job, but they could ensure that you don't.  All employers ask for references before making an offer and these references need to be professional, which can include coworkers, supervisors, and managers from your current or previous jobs.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is absolutely no point to put "reference provided upon request" on your resume.  Of course you're going to provide references when asked, that's a given, delete the stock sentence.  While you can include your references on your resume, you don't need to, and it's probably a better idea to provide them after you've interviewed and had a chance to prepare them.

There are a few important things to remember to ensure that your references will be great:

1. References should NOT be family members or friends you've never worked with.  If you put your mom or dad as a reference, you will not be taken seriously.

2. Tell your references that they might be getting called by a company, what position you're interviewing for, and if there is anything you'd like them to highlight (i.e. - an important project you worked on, award, or extra responsibilities).  Make sure the person you list is going to give you an outstanding reference; you'd be surprised how many times I've had reference calls where the person doesn't have anything good to say about the candidate.  Sometimes it's what a reference doesn't say that makes the difference, so make sure the people you list are ready to talk about how great you are.

3. Don't lie!  If a recruiter feels like something is off during a reference check, and perhaps you're lying, they can call the company's HR to verify your employment.  If what HR says doesn't match up, you could lose your chance at getting the job.

Some employers have a policy of not providing references because they're afraid of being sued for libel or discrimination, but they usually will verify title and dates of employment.  Don't count on this though, because many employers are willing to provide references and it's not worth the risk.

So make sure your references are from somewhere you've worked, know that they might be getting a call, and are willing to talk about how amazing you are.  What are some things you do when asked to give your references?  Let me know in the comments! :)