When you’re looking for a job or a promotion, get your best referees lined up first. When I write client resumes and CV’s, I advise them to use professionals who know their work. Not a mate, a relative or someone they worked with ten years ago. Ask the referee’s permission before citing them in a job application.
Shane Bywater guesses he’s been a referee on over 150 resumes. Most of the time, he considers the task a privilege and an opportunity to help someone out. But every now and again, that privilege becomes “awkward”.
“I’ve had people I’ve sacked, or have had to make redundant, ask me to be their reference,” says Bywater, who works as a sales manager and leadership consultant.
“I’ll have to say ‘look this is where I could talk to but if I was asked these questions, I would have to answer honestly’.”This month, more people are looking for jobs than at any other time of year.
Google trends reveal the term “job” peaks in January and Australian Bureau of Statistic figures show a fifth of unemployed people applying during the early parts of the year struggle to get a job due to a high number of applicants.
In the context of fierce competition, CV references can “make or break” an application. Unreliable or fake references can end up in court, as seen in the high profile case of Andrew Flanagan, who was fired as a group manager at Myer after one day when it was revealed he listed fake referees.
So what obligations do referees have in helping their former colleagues secure a new gig? And what is the etiquette around reviewing poor performers?
Senior recruitment consultant at Randstad’s HR Partners Carla Wilkinson says that employer references are “really important” when it comes to landing a job.
“There’s a lot of weight that’s given to them [references]. Particularly when it’s coming close to offering a candidate a role,” she said.
But in recent years, those entering the workforce are becoming increasingly lax with prepping their referees.
Wilkinson says that around 80 per cent of referees she contacts are ready for the call, meaning 20 per cent are caught by surprise.
Careers reporter Kate Southam says it’s a “really bad look” to have out of date CV references.
“There’s a lot of weight that’s given to them [references]. Particularly when it’s coming close to offering a candidate a role,” she said.
But in recent years, those entering the workforce are becoming increasingly lax with prepping their referees. Wilkinson says that around 80 per cent of referees she contacts are ready for the call, meaning 20 per cent are caught by surprise..
From The Age, by Charlotte Grieve, 7 January 2019