CV Referees: How To Choose the Best Referees When Writing Your CV
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CV Referees: How To Choose the Best Referees When Writing Your CV
When writing your CV, who do you choose as your CV referee?
How do you determine who goes into that section that could determine whether you get a job or not?
Contrary to popular belief that employers rarely contact referees, the job market has changed, and the need to perform a background check on candidates has increased.
“Besides your qualifications, an employer can get to know you more through your referees,” says Godfrey, a recruitment manager at Corporate Staffing Services.
Who can be your referee, then?
Work-related references are generally more potent than personal ones since they can attest to how you operate and what you are capable of. It’s best to choose someone senior to you rather than a peer, but make sure the person you choose is someone you have worked closely with.
The best referees know you well – someone you worked closely with at your last job or the lecturer you got along with for fresh graduates.
Obviously, it helps if you have a friendly working relationship with them, too. You want to choose someone who will write a good reference and be as optimistic about you as possible.
Things to consider when choosing referees
I have seen so many job seekers lose their dream jobs based on the reviews of their referees. Before considering someone to act as a referee, consider these few tips.
1. Their availability and consent
Before listing someone as your referee, please consider that they are available and up to that.
You don’t want a case where an employer wants to run a background check, and the person you provided cannot be reached or doesn’t want to talk.
2. Are you still working for them?
It is natural to consider your current employer as a referee when looking for a job.
However, your employer might not take it very well that you are considering another job.
If you are still working, consider referees outside your job who can speak highly about your performance.
3. Your performance in your previous role
Before you consider putting down your former boss or supervisor as your referee, consider your previous performance in that role.
Will they be in a position to give positive feedback? What were your challenges in that position, and how did you handle them? What sort of feedback did you receive from your former boss?
4. The relationship you had with them
Think about the kind of relationship you had with your former supervisors. Consider the supervisors you shared a positive rapport with rather than those you have possibly disagreed, conflicted with or angered in the past.
5. How long you worked with them
Unless you are a recent graduate, consider referees you have worked with for over three months. This is because referees share what they know about you with a recruiter, and you want someone who knows you well.
You don’t want a referee who, when called, is trying hard to remember who you were because you were only there for two months.
Finally
If asked to provide referees, choose at least three people, discuss them with them first, and let them know recruiters can contact them. The referee section can make or break your success, so ensure you select the best people to speak on your behalf.
Are you still wondering how to write a CV referee section and other parts of a CV for you to succeed in your job search? Our professional CV writers will help you out today!
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