One of the famous last lines of a résumé is “References furnished upon request.” This is not necessary because employers can simply ask for references when they want them. However, a proactive, impressive strategy would be to create a single-page document that includes the following information:
- Your header (so it’s a matched set with the résumé), including your name, address, and contact information
- Your reference’s name
- Your reference’s company and title
- Your reference’s relationship to you (e.g., manager, peer, vendor, and so forth)
- Your reference’s contact information, including their e-mail address and phone number
Do not widely distribute this information because it contains the contact information of your references, which you should treat as confidential. However, having the list prepared enables you to quickly share this information with prospective employers upon request.
Help your references help you by notifying them that they can expect a call and by highlighting the most important qualities you want them to mention.
An example of this document could include the following.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Skills and additional information add another dimension to any résumé. Recruiters should know your computer skills and any language skills you may have. This section of your résumé also presents a great opportunity to share information about any community service work you’ve done.
- Listing your interests often helps build rapport with recruiters and interviewers.
- Misrepresenting your accomplishments or abilities is unethical. Many otherwise-qualified candidates often find themselves in uncomfortable positions when they have misrepresented even the slightest item on their résumé.
- The names of your references do not belong on a résumé.
- It’s not necessary to include the line “References furnished upon request.”
- Having a reference document is very helpful when conducting a proactive and efficient job search.
EXERCISES
- Draft this section of your résumé and include all the details mentioned in this chapter.
- Qualify your computer and language skills as fluent, familiar, or having some knowledge. If you speak only one language, don’t include this information on your résumé.
- Identify three or four individuals who can serve as your references, and get their permission to give their names and contact information to prospective employers.
- Speak to your references in advance and let them know about your career goals and whichcompanies you are targeting. You may also ask that they emphasize one particular skill over another (e.g., that you pay great attention to detail or have strong analytical skills).
- When you are interviewing with a specific company, let your references know in advance that they may be contacted, and ask that they let you know if they are contacted.
- Thank your references.
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