Do References Really Matter? Helpful hints!
1. Include references only when requested by an employer.
2. Carefully consider whom to provide after discussion with the prospective employer. The time to check references is before an offer is made, but after the candidate is either the final candidate or among the final few for the job.
3. Seek references from people who actually know you and your work. Ask for permission to list them as a reference.
4. Ask directly if they can provide you with a positive reference for the position(s) you are seeking. If they hesitate, move on!
5. Prepare your references about who will be calling them and what to focus on when talking about you. Always ask them to call you after they have been called.
6. Prepare your references to speak consistently about your skills, but not identically. Suggest a different highlight for each person. Have 100 percent confidence in what they will say and how they speak about you, or cross them off the list.
7. Provide accurate contact information about your references, and ask your references how they prefer to be contacted (e-mail, phone, etc.).
8. Let your references know what happens to you and the position(s) you applied for. Thank your references.
9. Prepare a LinkedIn site to demonstrate your skills and interests.
10. Participate in professional blogs to create a history of professional involvement in your field that is independent of your work history.
Interview Question: The one who has better things to do
An interviewer checking her e-mail, looking at you but not paying any attention to what you say. Some people are forced to participate in the interview process even if they have no interest in doing it, so don't take it personally.
What to do: Answer the questions and be friendly. Try to hold conversations with this distracted interviewer and hope you can win her over -- hey, it can't hurt to have someone who likes you. But this interviewer either made up her mind before she walked into the room or doesn't intend to give much feedback about you, so do your best but don't take her disinterest personally.
