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Asked For References After Interview

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What To Say When Calling To Follow Up After An Interview

How to Request REFERENCES in the Interview Process **WITH EXAMPLE EMAIL!**

You want to display enthusiasm for the position but avoid sounding pushy or desperate.

“I would like to thank you gain for the opportunity to meet with you last week and also to restate my interest and enthusiasm for this job. I was hoping that you could give me an update on the status of my job application…”

Get help and advice on when and how to make this tough follow up call

In the meantime continue with your job search…

Evenif you are confident this is the position for you, it is never wise torely on one job opportunity, there are no guarantees that you willdefinitely get the job.

Knowing what other job opportunities areout there will help you when making the final decision about taking thejob. You will be better able to evaluate the job offer in terms of thecurrent job market.

What to do if you receive another job offer

Another job offer puts you in a position of strength when asking for feedback.

Ina non-threatening way, let the company or recruiter know that you havereceived another offer and are considering it. You can restate yourinterest in the initial job but ask for a definite date for the hiringdecision so that you can respond to the other offer.

Use this example of what to say to help you.

“Since our interview I have received another job offer. I am still veryinterested in your position but I would like to know when I can expect afinal hiring decision. The other company have asked for my response bythe end of the week.”

How often should you follow up?

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You gave a great cover letter and resume, nailed the interview, and even sent a thank you note. Before you get the job, though, theres just one more important factor.

Your references.

Many job seekers have a lot of questions about the best way to provide a job reference. Some people are intimidated at the prospect of asking someone to be their reference. Others arent sure who to ask.

Dont worry, weve got you covered. Heres what you need to know about references to land that next job.

It Becomes A Discussion Of When Instead Of If

Slight shifts in language can indicate a hiring managers eagerness to bring you into the fold. They might start saying things like When you start instead of If you join us, for example.

While it may be subconscious on their part, this is often a positive confirmation of their desire to see you join the team.

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They Indicate They Like What They Hear

On some occasions, an interviewer may tell you directly that they’re seeking someone with your skills and experience. You should always go to an interview with a list of questions to ask about the company or position. One of the questions you should ask is what the ideal candidate looks like for the position. By asking this at the end of the interview, you can assess how your own qualifications align with what they’re seeking.

Related:9 Best Questions To Ask Your Interviewer

Forwarding References After Interview

Sample Thank You Letter After Interview

Employers often ask for references at the end of the interview, or within a couple of days after. You will have to decide whether to list your current supervisor as a reference. Some job applicants want their supervisor contacted only if they are a top finalist for the job. Let your boss know about a pending reference call.

Contacting references takes time so you can surmise continued interest, especially if the employer promptly contacts the individuals on your list. When that occurs, your first thought might be: Did I get the job if they called my references? Although that’s a good sign, keep in mind there may be other finalists.

Also Check: How To Prepare For An Interview Questions And Answers

The Basic Reference Checking Process

Varies with employers, but:

  • Have a solid list of references ready including someone at your current workplace if at all possible. Three references are usually enough. Include bosses . A list of only co-workers can look suspicious. And if you only have friends or your parents as references, think again perhaps you can get references from teachers or any jobs or volunteer experiences youve ever had.
  • Check with each reference to verify their contact information is current and to make sure they are available and willing.
  • Most employers will call your references only if you are the final candidate or one of the final two. Occasionally the final three or four. Every now and then an employer will check all the people they interview, although to me thats inconsiderate of the reference. But the majority of employers will wait until they are close to making an offer.
  • UPDATE: Im hearing more and more about employers who check references BEFORE a first interview. While I dont like this at all, since it doesnt respect the valuable time of your references and can give you false hope , if thats the way they do it, you need to comply if you want the job. Just let your references know the situation.

    How Can I Get Rid Of A Bad Reference

    It doesnt matter whether you provided a bad reference or received a bad one from someone else. Either way, youll need to take steps to remove the negative comment.

    The first thing to do is to talk to the person who gave you the bad reference. This will allow you to explain why you didnt perform as expected.

    The next step is to go back and ask for a new reference. Explain to your previous employer that youre ready to prove to them that you werent the problem.

    If you dont have any more references, youll need to start looking elsewhere. There are plenty of other companies out there that you can apply to.

    If youre unhappy with the results, consider filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission . The EEOC will investigate your claims and determine whether or not you were discriminated against because of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.

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    Best Reference Check Questions

  • What was your relationship with the candidate?
  • How long did you work with each other?
  • How would you rate their work?
  • What were their daily duties?
  • What were their main responsibilities?
  • Were they dependable? Did they get to work on time?
  • Did they complete the tasks and assignments given to them?
  • Did they take direction well?
  • How did they support coworkers?
  • Why did they leave your position?
  • What are their strong points?
  • What are their weak points?
  • How did they get along with other people?
  • Do they have good communication and listening skills?
  • Were there any behaviors that affected job performance?
  • Would you rehire? yes or no If no why not?
  • Did they require a lot of supervision or work well independently?
  • How did the candidate handle work-related stress?
  • Do you think the candidate can do the job we spoke about?
  • Would you like to add anything else?
  • What Recruiters Really Do With Professional References

    Job Reference Checks: All You Need to know when applying for a job

    Youve aced your interviews and the job is almost yours, but the fate of your employment could rest in the hands of others: your professional references. Just when you thought the hiring process couldnt get more nerve-wracking, it does. Youre left wondering: What will my reference say about me? What will the recruiter ask about? Did I say something wrong?

    Youre not crazyyes, recruiters and references are talking about you behind your back, but its all part of the hiring process. A study by online reference-checking provider SkillSurvey found that reference checking is the second most-used candidate screening or assessment method, with 86% of reference checks being conducted before a company extends an offer.

    With all that talking happening behind your back, surely youve been curious about what recruiters really do during a reference checkand weve got the answers.

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    Ask Politely And Be Aware Of How Youre Being Received

    If its been awhile since youve communicated with a potential reference, connect the dots between the past and the present, including what you worked on together and where you are in your current career path. Providing your resume is an easy way to do this. Always give your potential reference an option to decline by using language like, Would you feel comfortable being a reference for me? or, I understand your time is valuable, so dont hesitate to let me know if this isnt a good time. If they show any hesitation, gracefully back out of the invitation and move down your list to the next option. Its better to preserve the relationship in the long run.

    This Is Your Candidate Bibliography

    Always qualify what you hear in your own mind: the reference has their own biases, agendas, and such. If there was a particularly contentious relationship , then watch for that and dig in further. Avoid relying on one referrer to the exclusion of all else, because you might not know if there is some extenuating backstory.

    One advantage of this approach is that, by the time you schedule the candidate, you already know a surprising amount and can ask much better questions. Much of the time, this technique will induce you to pass on a candidate before you spend their time or yours let alone the scheduling nightmare of getting all your colleagues to meet the candidate shortening your hiring cycle and saving you hours. As the candidate advances through your hiring process, you can also continue to pepper referrers with new questions and get much smarter about the candidate.

    Bonus benefit: When youve finally decided to hire the person, you can skip to an offer without checking references because youve already done it. Like writing the bibliography for your college thesis while you go, vs. pulling your hair out once youre done and tired of the whole mess.

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    The 10 Best Questions To Ask When Checking References

    A hasty hiring decision can be costly. Take the time to do your due diligence to ensure that you hire the right person for the job. Rushing to hire will only get you into trouble.

    Besides social media checks, background checks, and the standard job interviews, you should always call a job candidates references. The reference check is your first and sometimes only opportunity to learn about a candidate from an outside source.

    Not only do reference checks allow you to verify facts from resumes, cover letters, and interviews, but they also provide you the opportunity to learn about a job candidate through the eyes of another professional. This can be a make or break moment for the job candidate.

    Its your responsibility to ask a job candidate for a list of professional references. Remember that references listed by a job candidate are who they want you to contact, but if you know someone else to call, feel free to contact them instead. Its usually easier to trust someone you know than to take the word of someone youve never met.

    Our advice even if you think the candidate is the perfect fit just pick up the phone and make a call. Give the reference a bit of background about why you are calling. Tell them who you are, what company you work for, and supply any other pertinent info. Then its time to dive into the questions.

    Recruiters Ask References What Youre Like In The Office

    How To Call References After Interview

    Whom you list as a reference matters. Smith explains that recruiters want to find out the references relationship to the candidate to gauge the quality of the data they are providing.

    Thats why its recommended you provide professional references who have worked alongside you or directly managed you as an employee because this helps recruiters understand what its like to work with you.

    If you provide this type of reference, Smith says recruiters will ask the following types of questions: How would this person best be managed? In what areas will he or she need additional coaching or support? How far do you see this person growing professionally?

    Recruiters just want to learn more about you and make sure that, before handing you an offer, they truly believe you are the right fit for the company.

    Remember this: When a hiring company makes a call to your references, its almost always a good signso you can breathe easy. A reference check typically means a hiring manager is near-ready to extend an offer to a candidate, and they want one final confirmation that you are the right fit for their team, Foss says.

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    After Interview Follow Up Help

    Strategic after interview follow up is an essential part of job interview success. Use this follow up help to follow up professionally and increase your chances of getting the job you want.

    Following up effectively after your interview involves more than sending a thank you letter.

    Once your job interview is over, find out how to successfully manage the next stage of the hiring process.

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    When To Forward Work References In The Interview Process

    Employers often ask for work references during the job interview process to ensure that applicants performed well for their previous employers. Since you dont know exactly when an employer will request your references, its best to bring them with you

    Forwarding References Before Interview Employers have differing hiring practices and preferences when it comes to requesting references. Similarly, candidates may have opinions on when theyre willing to share references. In fact, the timing of a reference request may be a deal breaker for a candidate who is not comfortable sharing references before an interview, according to Forbes. Always send a thank you email immediately after interviews even if you have not yet decided to forward references at that point. Why Timing Matters Many companies state when references are needed. If you wish to show youre a rule follower, carefully read the application instructions and act accordingly. On the other hand, job recruiter Heather Olson, in an interview with Rewire, recommends including names of references and their contact information on the resume to stand out from other applicants. Providing references with your application shows that you take initiative, which may be an asset if the job description calls for a self-starter with initiative and drive.

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    Do Employers Ask For References Before Offer

    Does reference check mean you got job?

    Are references just a formality?

    Reference checks shouldnt be just a formality. Done correctly, they offer hirers an opportunity to critically evaluate the skills, experience and characteristics of a potential employee. Once you know how to approach reference checks and the right questions to ask, youll be able to get the most out of the process.

    Can You Get Rejected After A Reference Check

    Do Employers Check References?

    It is possible to get rejected after a reference check. In fact, some sources say that candidates get rejected about 10 20% of the time after a reference check.

    Most often, a candidate will be rejected due to providing fake references that are discovered when theyre vetted.

    That said, I have also had managers who chose not to offer someone because of red flags that came up from contacts that ended up being bad references. Even though not receiving a job offer after a reference check is somewhat rare, it does happen.

    This video from the company Forge Recruitment shares the experience of a recruiter who has seen companies withdraw applications due to red flags that came up in the reference check process:

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    What Happens If You Dont Have Any Job References

    You should always have references listed on your resume. However, you may not always have access to professional references. For instance, maybe your former references are no longer available.

    Or maybe you dont have an extensive work history and simply havent worked enough to have references.

    If this is the case, you can ask for personal references instead. These can be friends, family members, or anyone else who can attest to your skills and work ethic. Another option is to reach out to former employers, colleagues, or professors who would be willing to serve as a reference for you.

    Finally, you can also look into joining professional organizations or networking groups, which can help you build up a list of references.

    When You Dont Want Your Current Employer To Know Youre Looking For Work

    Most potential employers understand this situation. They know you want to keep your job search secret. But they may insist on talking to your current employer once they offer you a job or place you on a short list. If this is the case, ask that they let you know before they call. This way you can talk to your current employer before your potential employer calls.

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    Start Off With Easy Questions

    Warm-up with some easy questions before diving in. Always pay attention to your wording. Rather than asking What do you feel are Carlas biggest weaknesses? you could ask What do you feel Carla needs to do to further her career?

    Word questions in a positive way rather than trying to sniff out problems.

    The Interviewer Asks Your Impression

    How to title references page for resume

    If the interviewer asks what you think of the position or the company, it’s a good indication they want to sell you on the position. By asking this question, they can gauge your reaction to the role and respond to any questions or overcome objections you might have.

    Related:Interview Question: “Do You Have Any Questions?”

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