7 Reference Mistakes That Can Cost You The Job

In the course of job hunting, many of us stress over every detail like interview questions,
handshakes, outfits but we forget to pay an equal amount of attention to people who will
vouch for our professional accomplishments. However, there are several reference mistakes
that could easily be avoided.

Not telling your references to expect a call/email:

It's professional courtesy to ask for permission before using people as references.
If professional references are not informed to expect a call, they might react with confusion
and surprise when the hiring managers contact them for a recommendation.
This could be taken to mean that the candidate is an unprofessional and disorganised individual.

Making it hard to contact your references:

It is important to make it easy for employers to contact your references.
You have to list different contact details, email addresses, personal phone numbers (with the reference's permission of course).

Give a reference who might not have nice things to say about you:

This goes without saying, only give references you are sure will have
nothing but glowing recommendations for you. You don't want to list a former employer
with whom you didn't part ways on good terms.

Giving references that have little or no relevance:

While it was mentioned above that you should only give references
who will highlight your skill set and strengths. However, this does
not mean that you should list your family and friends.
What questions do you want a potential employer to ask your mother?
Your potential employer does not want biased feedback from a reference who appears to be a close friend.

Not giving your references enough information:

Update your references on new skills you have acquired.
Basically, give your references your resume to study before your potential employer contacts them.
It is important to have your references know a little about the position you've applied
for so they can discuss your most relevant skills and provide you with the strongest possible recommendation.

Your references can't speak about your job experience:

If you are a fresh graduate, please resist the urge to list your parents and
family friends as references. Instead, get university professors, supervisors,
mentors to give you a favourable recommendation. Your best bet for references
should always be your most recent employers or colleagues.

You didn't bring your references to the interview:

It's better to be safe than sorry, it's just paper it's not heavy,
take several copies of your references with you to every interview.
Hiring managers might not request for it right away but if they do,
you score extra points for adequate preparation.