This past week was International Update Your References Week sponsored by Career Directors International (CDI). Professional references can be easily overlooked and not kept current so this is a great reminder to review your list (mental or printed) of your professional references. If you haven’t secured one from your most recent position, this is a great time to do so. Three more thoughts on the matter:
- LinkedIn is a great tool for keeping current with your references. If you haven’t already, ask your references to post a testimonial to your LinkedIn profile. Your status line on LinkedIn is also a great way to keep your existing references up to date with your current projects and areas of focus.
- If you’re actively job searching, send a copy of your current resume to each of your professional references with a note detailing your target position and that you appreciate their willingness to serve as a reference. This keeps you in the forefront of their mind, brings them up to date on your background, provides perspective for any potential inquiries by sharing target specs, and facilitates a value-added and relevant reference call.
- Think outside of the box. Do not limit your thoughts to former bosses. References can be colleagues just as easily as they can be managers. Colleagues who worked side by side with you or who were “in the trenches” with you can sometimes have much more detailed, hands-on knowledge of your strengths and abilities.
Lastly, take a look at CDI’s page here for expert answers to 12 of the most commonly asked questions about professional references.