The best references to give on a job application

The best references to give on a job applicationYour job references arent just warm bodies who can verify that youre the best employee ever, and a totally great fit for insert job here. If done thoughtfully, your references can help you create a specific hire me because I have these skills narrative, or support the one youve set up in your titel letter, resume, and interview. The groundwork for these references should be done ahead of time, before you even think about applying for a job. That way, theyre ready to go when you need themand wont be taken by surprise when someone calls them for a reference. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) So who should be included on your list of professional references?Your current baboThis is complicated if youre looking for jobs on the down-low, but if its an open concept that youre leaving your current job and looking for a new one, your current manager is the best bet. He or she knows you as you are rig ht now and can speak to recent accomplishments. Before you offer up your current boss, though, its important to know roughly what theyll say. If there are any concerns or uneasiness about that, then leave them off the list.Your current colleaguesThis can be a great alternative if you dont want your current boss to know youre actively seeking another job. A trusted colleague (one who can keep a secret) who works closely with you can be an excellent reference to have, since they know you in a day-to-day professional capacity. Ask him or her to talk about specific projects and what youre like as a team member.Your former supervisorAn old boss can be useful because they can give the hiring manager a sense of what youre like as an employee, but the risk here is that their professional information about you may be a little out of date. And as with referring your current boss, its important to know roughly what theyre going to say. If you think they might want to talk about some of your le ss-than-stellar moments, then think twice about including them.Your teachers or advisorsThis isnt all that helpful if youve been in the workforce for a while, but if youre a recent grad or just starting out, professors or advisors can tell the company about your skills and personality.Once youve decided who your go-to references are for this job application, be sure to give them a heads-up that they may be contacted. Also give them information about the job itself and what youre hoping theyll emphasize in their chat with the new company. Theres only so much you can stage-manage what this person will say, but giving them a template of sorts helps them prepare and find the fruchtwein useful information to share about you. It takes some of the onus off of them to figure out what theyre supposed to talk about.Its also important to make sure your references are targeted to the job you want. If youre applying for a marketing job, your old boss at your summer restaurant job might not be th e most useful person to help you get this new gig. The more thought and preparation you put into your reference list, the better and more focused information theyll be able to provide.