Resume references plays a dual role, i.e. as a supportive body for a candidate and the authenticating body for an employer. In many companies when the candidate appears for an interview, he/she has to fill a form. The company asks for many details, resume references is one of the information the company needs from the applicant. What is the need of resume references?
The references are of two types:
- Personal references
- Professional references
The personal references such as your friends, relatives know you from conduct and behavioral point of view. The professional references you mentioned are the right person to focus on your skills and expertise.
Once the candidate is through with the initial rounds of interviews, the company may contact the references to cross verify if the information the candidate has provided in the resume is correct or not.
When you are writing somebody’s name as a reference, make sure that you have a word prior to that. If possible provide him/her the copy of the latest resume. Ask about the preferred time in which he/she can be contacted. Why is it important to take care of the points mentioned above? The answer to this question is the reference should not give an inappropriate answer when the HR or concerned person calls to cross verify the information written/told by the candidate.
A resume reference may be asked the question based on:
- Character
- Academics
- Experience
- General skills
- Domain specific skills
- Attitude
- Behavior
Many a times while writing a resume the candidate writes the statement ‘References on request’ as it is a common practice that any candidate does not provide the information regarding resume references unless required.
Resume references can contribute a lot to shift you from ‘can be selected’ stage to a ‘selected’ stage.
