Character References: Let Other People Sell You

Your resume should aim to impress all potential employers

. They do not always trust your word for all those positive attributes you listed. They look for someone to back up your listed credentials. And they will look this up in your list of character reference in your resume.

A resume can be either chronological or functional in nature. You list all your accomplishments, both educational and professional as well as their corresponding dates in a chronological resume. They are cited from the most current to the previous ones. On the other hand, functional resume presents all your skills and abilities. For both chronological and functional resumes, employers can assume that applicants can always give references if it was requested from them.

Therefore, all applicants should prepare a list of people who can verify their character. These people are important persons whom you have dealt with either on a personal or on a professional level in the past. The resume intended for scholarship application needs to have previous professors, deans, advisers or classmates as references. They are the key persons whom sponsors can ask whether you qualify for the slot or not. They can gauge your maturity, social responsiveness, attitude and academic readiness for such higher education.

A resume intended for a job application needs to have previous employers, immediate supervisors or colleagues as references. They are the best people that can attest to your abilities, skills, professionalism and attitude towards work. They will help potential employers decide if you are the best person they are looking for.

Here are some tips in preparing for a character reference:

Make a list and check it twice

Make a list of personal or professional contacts that you might have for the last 5 to 10 years. This assures you that they remember you quite well and will surely have the capacity to give anecdotes about you. They must know you well enough to write positive things about you. If possible, find someone who knows you not only on a personal but also on a professional level. Trim your list to people who would be willing to make the extra mile of making written recommendations and will not mind if you ask for minor changes if a part of the letter does not paint you well.

Give them the Heads Up

Once you have all your possible references, call them up and ask permission if you could list them down in your resume. If they decline, gracefully thank them for their time. If you have their approval, be sure to get the best contact number they prefer to be called at. Do not forget to tell them what position you have applied for so they will have an idea as to what questions employers would typically ask them when these employers call. Refresh them with small details as to how long you two have worked together; which department are you in and events where you both worked successfully. It is also acceptable to offer the person a list of your achievements for her reference.

References need to be updated

Be sure to update references every once in while. It is good to know if your contact holds the same office or has been promoted. It is also a good practice to get in touch with friends and bosses. This will broaden your contacts and referrals. Placing a professional title on the reference adds credibility to the person. Write all possible approved contact information and your relation to the person. Make sure that the font and the size used is readable and clear.

by: David Urmann

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