Positive Professional References Are a Powerful Tool

Positive Professional References Are a Powerful ToolPositive Professional References Are a Powerful ToolPositive Professional References Are a Powerful ToolPut the best professional reference in your back pocket.Your online search has led you to the perfect job opportunity. The company is a fit as far as culture and the pay is on point with what youre seeking. Up until now youve been cruising along through your application, but then you hit a wall.The next step asks for you to enter professional references that can vouch for your performance. Your resume is in tip-top shape, and your cover letter is pristine, but youve forgotten one thing. You never compiled a list of references, and youre bedrngnis sure which names you should list.You think back to your previous jobs and search your brain for past employers you feel would rave about your performance. A few come to mind, but can you be guaranteed theyll provide a positive reference?Submitting professional references isnt as simple as just listing a few names and schmelzglas addresses. Youve got to work hard to secure positive references. Here are a few tips to help you be prepared for the next time you run into a request for work references from a potential employer.Never burn bridgesIf youve already done this, its too late. Its hard to repair a relationship with an employer when you leave on a sour note. Its not too late, however, for you to keep this tip in mind going forward and not make the mistake again.A previous employer isnt going to vouch for your performance if you bash them or become argumentative on the way out the door. So, no matter how bad the experience, smile and play nice. You never know when youll need a positive reference from that person.Additionally, its important that you dont bash previous employers when you talk to other people. You never know whos connected to whom, and word can travel fast, especially in this digital age.Lets say, for example, you leave a job and post on social media how happy you are to be out of that place. You talk about how terrible the experience is and ramble on about your boss being a jerk. While it might have helped you blow off some steam, one of your Facebook connections might know that person, or worse yet, you might have connected with them and forgotten.Word gets back, one way or another, and you find that when you reach to your former employees to include them on a professional reference list, your phone calls are ignored. Or worse. That person agrees to provide you with a reference, but they dont tell you its going to be negative and you lose out on the job opportunity. Dont lose out. Just remember to smile and move on. You never know when youll need someone to vouch for you.Always do your bestSometimes when you know youre headed out the door and moving onto the next job, its easy to abflug slacking. You may not realize it, but people notice. If you start showing up to work late, turning in low quality work or otherwise not puttin g in the effort, your boss (and your teammates) will notice.No matter how stellar your performance had been prior to the onset of your slacking, your recent efforts can erase all previous successes. First and last impressions are very powerful, so be mindful of the last impression you make.Be sure to perform at the highest rate possible, and even ask for mora work when possible. Look to help out your teammates even more during a time like this. A little help from a friend can go a long way in leaving a positive last impression.Make the initial askPrior to your last day, sit down with your boss and let them know how much you appreciate everything during your time working with them. Its ok to ask for a reference in the future at this point.If your boss is any good at their job, theyll be sad to see you go, but theyll be happy to see you progress in your career. It should be anyone in a management positions goal to improve the lives of those they supervise, and thus they should be happ y to provide you with a reference (provided you did a good job).Follow upOften times, you may not need to reach out to your work references for a number of years. So that you dont become forgotten, and their reference can remain fresh, be sure to connect now and then to keep a positive rapport.No need to mention the reference in your follow-up, unless you need it at that point. Just follow up to say youre checking in to see how that person is doing. Showing that youre thinking about them and concerned about their well-being puts you back on their mind and shows that youre not just using them for a work reference.Provide contextWhen the time comes that you do need someones reference, be sure to provide context. Offer details about the position youre interested in, and let them know exactly what points youre hoping theyll provide a reference for.A general reference is great, but when a previous employer can vouch for capabilities that relate directly to the job to which youre applying , that can really have impact. Remind the potential reference of some of the things you accomplished while working with them and then explain how they relate to the new role.By adding context, your work reference can be a lot more effective. Rather than simply telling the potential employer that you did a good job as a whole, your reference can vouch for specific tasks you achieved that relate directly. That connection could end up being the difference that puts you over the top.Be thankfulAfter a previous employer provides a reference for you, youll want to be sure to send them a thank you note, whether via email or a physical letter. Either one is perfectly fine.While you may be pumped about starting your new job (the job that reference helped you land), its highly possible that youll be looking to make a similar leap at some point in your career while at your new job. The reference that helped put you over the top may not be as willing to vouch for you the next time around if you didnt show gratitude the first time.It doesnt have to be anything elaborate. No flowers or food offerings necessary. Just say, thank you. Youll be surprised at how far those two words can take you.Start todayNow that youre armed with this knowledge of how to start a professional reference list, its time to get started. Dont wait until you land on that references page on your next application. If you wait, the length of time it takes you to secure those references might be time enough for the job opening to close. Dont miss out because you neglected to be proactive. Start brainstorming and contacting people today and have that list built and ready to roll before you jump into that next application.Ready to write the next chapter of your career? Hire a TopResume writer today