Normal to put this info on reference list?

A few questions:

1. Is it common practice to include email addresses of your references or are phone numbers suffice?

2. Also, how many work and personal references are expected these days from prospective employers?

3. If you left a previous position (on good terms) just prior to having an interview with another company, is it bad practice to use your recently departed employer as a reference or is this too risky? Should you wait to avoid animosity from your former emloyer because they were called very shortly after you left the job?

Thanks



:?: :?:

[andrewsegawa]

Using your recent employer is a very good idea, in fact the best. The ideal number of job referees is 3. I think putting their email addresses is a good idea but a phone number and box number are the best.

[kmd]

Usually around 3 references.

The more recent, the better, especially if you left on good terms.

I'd give priority to listing:
- your immediate supervisors or managers
- then other supervisors or managers that you worked with
- collegues at work who are familiar with your work.
- personal reference, if you can't list any of the above.

Also have a look at these tips http://kmd-solutions.com/jobreferences.htm

[trishmullen]

Hi,

If I could just suggest, and you probably already did this but check in with the prospective referee that they are happy and willing to supply a reference. If you don't and it just lands on their desk, they may feel disrespected and not provide one. The misperception by the prospective employer may be there is something in your past and you may not get the interview or job just because you overlooked what some may consider a trivial thing.

Good luck

Trish

[JaneCos]

The most important thing about the contact information you provide as contact information for your references is that you use ONLY the contact information that your references have agreed to let you use.

You first step is to ask permission to use his/her name. Then you ask him/her what contact information he/she would like you to use. If an email address is provided, use it. If it's an office number, use it. If it's a home number, use it. If it's cell phone number, use it. In others words, it is totally up to the reference what contact info and how many methods of contact he/she wants listed.

While it is a good idea to have a former employer listed as a reference, remember, that a reference does not have to be someone for whom you have worked. (Unless you are filling out an application and specifically asked for that info) If you are providing a list of references (not on an application,) provide people who have influential titles and ONLY IF they have agreed to be listed. Of course, they not only need to be willing, but also qualified and capable to speak on your behalf.

Typically three or four references are appropriate unless you are asked for a specific number and then you provide the number which was asked of you. If you are asked for three and you want to give four because of a special reason, label the top three as references and the additional one with a heading that says, additional reference if desired.

Hope that helps a little. To your success, JaneCo's Sensible Solutions

[Louise80]

As suggested above, you should check with each person that you are putting down that they are happy for you to do so.

It's also worth finding out what 'type' of reference they are willing/able to provide. This is because some companies now have a policy of only giving minimal information in response to a reference request i.e. what job the person was employed to do, how long they were employed for and their absence record. Some companies are doing this because they are concerned about the repercussions of adversely negative or positive refernces so they just give fact rather than opionion on the person and their ability.

My reason for mentioning this is that if you put down a couple of referees where they only provide this type of information it may not be particularly helpful for the potential employer. You can't do anything about that if it was your last two employers but if it is the case you may want to consider adding another referee who will give a more detailed response.

In a similar vain its also worth knowing that in some organisations the reference request goes to HR rather than the manager of the person that the reference is for for a 'standard response'.

In terms of what contact information to include, I wouldn't include the persons direct dial number unless you have their permission as it could put them on the spot and they may say something unconsidered (I've seen this happen, the manager hasn't meant to say something detrimental but because they weren't expecting the call and their thoughts ran away with them they said something which could be seen as negative about a very good employee!)

Good luck