The tale of 2 resumes & their associated references:
Candidate #2 - Sent no references, but since I had time & a little interest, I requested the information from the C2, to which I received back what I needed – names, #’s, context for employment (in a timely fashion).
Called on C2 references first. First call amounted to leaving a voicemail. Called the second reference, again left a voicemail. Called third reference on the list, no voicemail even available. Put resume down and moved on with biz and life. After 3-5 days, I email C2, detailed my attempts to contact references and recommended C2 have them call me, which I even facilitated with my personal cell #. I never heard from ANY of the references for C2.
Started calling on C1 references. Dialed first call… it got picked up immediately. Stated my reason for calling and the reference wanted to call me immediately back from a line where she could hear better. The phone conversation that followed literally floored me. Suffice it to say I have NEVER heard a more positive reference about an interview candidate. The reference used was positive, energetic, effusive with praise AND C1 was still working at her place of employment doing stand out work. The reference did NOT want to lose her current employee BUT she desired for the employee to keep moving on towards their dreams & career aspirations. REMARKABLE! To make sure it wasn’t a fluke, I called reference #2 on the list. Dialed, Answered…. same EXACT experience in the second conversation but different employer, different company, different type of job. C2 no longer worked their but the reference wished they did. This reference was only the second best reference I have ever heard because I just got off the phone with the best reference I had ever heard.
- Don’t make me ask for the references (translation to me = they don’t know you are using them AND/OR your current employer doesn’t know you are looking to move on)
- + Make sure that are easy to get a hold of!
- Choose people who are:
- interested and ready to give a reference about you
- desire for you to still work there even if you are moving on
- positive about YOU!
- can detail your strengths
- endorse your work ethic
- identified that you worked hard to learn your job
- honest about your areas for needed growth
Are you wondering why C2 is unemployed?
i think you mean c2 at the bottom of your post.
I called reference #2 on the list. Dialed, Answered…. same EXACT experience in the second conversation but different employer, different company, different type of job. C2 no longer worked their but the reference wished they did
Don’t you mean c1