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During interviews, employers seek to understand a student’s skills, experience and knowledge by asking a multitude of many questions. If an interview is successful, the employer may choose to contact referees to confirm past experience and gauge future performance.
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Professional or technical expertise
Academic background
Personal character
These references can play a be pivotal role in securing employment, so managing them effectively is very importantcrucial.
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When and how to provide references |
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Who to use as a referee |
Generally, referees, when applying for a job, are expected to be current or recent supervisors at your job or volunteer positions. It is acceptable to use past co-workers as well if they can provide you with a strong reference. Selecting appropriate references is important, so here are some key considerations:
Relevance: choose referees who can speak directly to your qualifications for the specific job you’re applying for. Ideally, they should have observed your work in a relevant context
Professional relationships: where possible, opt for people with whom you’ve had a professional relationship. It is not recommended to use family members or close friends as references. Ideas include:
Former supervisors, olleaguescolleagues, clients
Professors, mentors
Past landlords
Diversity: Aim for a mix of references, where possible. Include people who can vouch for different aspects of your abilities, such as technical skills, personality, teamwork and leadership.
Positive attitude: Ensure your referees have a positive view of your work and would be willing to enthusiastically endorse your capabilities enthusiastically.
Permission: Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference and explain the role you’re applying for and why you believe they’d be a valuable reference.
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Some employers will have strict parameters as to for whom they will allow you to use as a reference. The employer will also let you know how many references they are expecting: they expect. They usually range from one to three. Make sure to follow their guidelines.
If you are uncomfortable sharing your work search with your current supervisor for any reason, it is acceptable to use another referee. You may need to share with the hiring manager why you are not using your current supervisor (e.g., “My supervisor is not aware that I am currently looking for another position”).
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Note: It is important only to only ask people that will be willing and able to provide you with a strong reference, as the hiring decision may come down to one candidate’s reference vs another. |
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Ask your referee to write a reference letter or a recommendation for you on LinkedIn. A LinkedIn recommendation will live on your profile page, and you can refer your potential employer to this pageit.
Approach them through email: craft a well-written email explaining your request for a reference letter and what position you are interviewing for. Make it easy for your referee by providing a template highlighting your contributions, achievements, skills gained and the positive impact you had.
Provide a draft: if your reference would prefer communicating via email, offer to write a draft of the reference letter yourself that reflects your strengths and accomplishments. Be sure to leave space for them to personalize it and add their own insights and comments.
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Keeping track of references |
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The job description
Your résumé
Reminder of your important contributions , and other aspects that you would like them to emphasize
Ask your referee for their most up-to-date contact information, the best way to reach them, and if there will be any periods of time they will be unavailable.
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Follow up with a thank you note if the referee has provided a reference, whether it resulted in a job offer or not. |
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International experience references |
- What if my referee is from an international experience?
You can absolutely use an international work experience reference! In fact, international International experiences are a wonderful opportunity to highlight important transferable skills gained in the workplace that will apply to future employment opportunities. Book a work search appointment with a career advisor if you would like support in selecting the international references that will be most impactful for your application.
You may need to evaluate the need to change a job title on your résumé to the Canadian equivalent. If you are changing your job title, make sure you choose a job title choose one that does not misrepresent your position or responsibilities. If you choose to change your title, explain this to your international referee before they are contacted by an employer contacts them.
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Additional tips:
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