References: the Whys, Whos and Whats

Why Do Employers Ask for References After Making an Offer?

Confirm their confidence: References can help employers predict your future performance. By speaking with individuals who have worked closely with you in previous roles, employers can gain a sense of how well you might perform in the new position. Positive references that highlight your achievements and contributions can reinforce the employer’s confidence in their hiring decision.

Validation: Even though you’ve passed interviews, employers want to check that your qualifications and experiences align with what they have come to expect from their conversations with you. References, alongside background and qualification checks, serve as a final review to ensure that your claims on your CV and during interviews are accurate.

Character: From your first conversation with a potential employer up to now, employers try to assess your personality, working style and fit within the company culture. References provide insights into your work ethics, teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability. Employers want to know if you have the personality traits and interpersonal skills that will contribute positively to their team.

Sanity check: Hiring decisions come with inherent risks. Employers ask for references to mitigate these risks. A bad hire can be costly in terms of time, resources, and productivity – for you and them! By checking references, employers aim to reduce the chances of hiring someone who may not be a good fit for the role or the organisation.

Who: The Importance of Choosing the Right Referees

Now that we understand why employers ask for references after making an offer, let’s delve into why your choice of referees is critical:

Character vs Professional Reference: Character references come from personal relationships, emphasising personal qualities. Professional references, from work-related contacts, focus on job performance and are essential for employment or career advancement. Professional references in our context are likely to be stronger, if not an outright requirement for at least one of the references you provide.

Relevance to the Role: When selecting referees, prioritise individuals who can speak to your skills and experiences relevant to the new position. A supervisor from a previous job or a colleague who collaborated closely with you on a similar project can provide more meaningful insights than a personal acquaintance.

Removing red tape: There may well be instances where your current employers have strict policies around who can and cannot provide references (e.g., it is not uncommon for HR to provide references that will be limited to the definable facts of your employment with them and lack a more human touch). In these situations, providing a second reference who knows you first hand and can vouch for you is even more important. Keeping a network of potential references can help you overcome the bureaucracy and give your new employer real insights.

Positive and Detailed Insights: Choose referees who can provide specific examples of your accomplishments and strengths. Vague or generic references may not be as convincing to potential employers. Ensure that your referees are enthusiastic about endorsing you and are willing to share concrete information about your performance. Line managers past and present are a great choice for this as they can detail your qualities, strengths and character over a significant period of time.

Professionalism: Opt for referees who are known for their professionalism and integrity. Their reputation can influence the weight their recommendations carry with potential employers. Select individuals who can vouch for your character and work ethics. References must be fair and accurate, a professional reference with a strong reputation who will candidly discuss your qualities is a far better advocate than someone who will be hyperbolic.

Preparation and Communication: Before providing your referees’ contact information, inform them about the role you’ve been offered and the company you’ll be joining. Share your CV and key talking points so they can provide a well-informed reference when contacted. Tell them when they can expect to be contacted and ask them to respond quickly. This level of preparation can make a positive impression on your potential employer.

What Contact Information Should I Provide for my References?

Email address AND a phone number. Some employers may only want to exchange a few emails, but it is far easier for your references to impress your new boss over the phone.

What to do if I Receive a Bad Reference?

Although there are limits to what a referee can and should say, it is an urban myth that they cannot provide a negative reference. They can if it’s on record. Preparation to make sure you are choosing the right referees is the best way of making sure this doesn’t happen, but what to do after it has happened?

Get ahead of it: Most companies will ask for a set number of references (typically two), offer an extra. This can help crowd out the poor reference with the good ones.

Offer some context: When you provide references to your potential employer explain to them who they are, why they have been chosen and how closely you know them. If you have provided details for a referee, it is a safe assumption you weren’t expecting it to reflect badly on you. If it has, chances are you don’t know them as well as you could have and in turn, them you. Alternatively, you may know ahead of time you don’t have the best relationship with a referee you have had to pick. Your future employer knowing the limitations of your relationship with a referee is important context and can be a good form of damage limitation.

Honesty is the best policy: If your future employer has asked you to explain a poor reference, explain it without being negative about the referee. Acknowledge your responsibility for some of the issues and explain how it was a growth opportunity and how you have overcome it.

References are a crucial part of the hiring process that occurs after receiving a job offer. Employers request references to validate your credentials, assess your character, predict your future performance, and mitigate hiring risks. Choosing the right referees who can speak to your relevant skills and experiences, provide detailed insights, exhibit professionalism, and communicate effectively is pivotal to ensuring that your references bolster your candidacy and help you secure your desired position. So, when the time comes to provide references, choose wisely and invest in maintaining strong professional relationships.

~ Isaac