Job references are a necessary means of communicating your job experience to a future employer. Any company interested in hiring you should check with your references before making a job offer. But how do you know that the people who are being called are providing quality references for your past employment? Here are some tips for choosing the right former co-workers and managers to give your references.

1. Choose someone who wants to see you succeed. Don’t simply provide just a list of former managers. You want to hand select individuals who have been invested in your career. Talk to them before you submit their name to a potential employer so they know what to expect.
2. Choose someone who is a good speaker and writer. You also want to know that their reference for you will be communicated effectively. Some businesses will get references in writing while others prefer to talk on the phone.
3. Choose someone who is a quick thinker. You will never know what kinds of questions a potential employer will ask so select a reference that is fast on their feet and can answer challenging or difficult questions with ease.
4. Choose someone you feel good about working with. Always choose someone who would be interested in working with you again if the situation ever arose. Often jobs change due to outside factors and people move on to different companies. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be happy to work with you again.
5. How to provide a good job reference. Before going to your interview collect the recent contact information for 3 to 4 professionals from your past. Make sure that each of them knows they may be contacted. Also, spend time making sure that your recommendations on LinkedIn are up to date as many companies use this as an alternative.

Do you need more information about job references in your current employment search? Full Steam Staffing, experienced employment agency in Ontario CA, can help you today!