How well you are linked, how efficiently you are recommended to a company and how you use your contacts for personal and professional gain goes a long way in getting a job. Honestly, it is not a company’s problem that you are not qualified enough for the position. To make the process easier for you, referencing a list of recognized and well-known people, who are a proof of your eligibility, qualifies for a good attempt. Now, it might take a while for you to obtain all these contacts keeping in mind busy lifestyles and schedules. The key is to start the referee hunt before the actual job hunt! It’s not just enough to have these individuals in mind; you need to write down all the contacts in a proper constructed manner. One basic rule about references is to remember that you must never include this list in the resume unless the employer asks for it. A minimum of two and a maximum of four referees are ideal but the actual number depends upon how many references are requested for. This listing is made up of a few instructions which are given below. Read on to find out how you can impress the recruiter with your fantastic resume!
How To Write A Job Reference List
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The first and most fundamental statute to remember is to always get a good reference. What this means is that you must make sure that the person you choose knows you well enough professionally and can make you seem accomplished in their eyes. Take the time to call your referee and ask for their permission to give their names and contact details so that a call from your employer doesn’t come as a total shocker to them.
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What do you need to look for? Segregate them into three categories: personal, previous employers and reputed persons. Each one has its own benefits. If you have the privilege of knowing a reputed person then this can add a charm and poignancy to your credentials! Personal referees are those who have known you long enough to talk about your general etiquette such as your faculties while professional ones know about your on-job attitude like your previous employers.
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Next, make sure you have the same font as the rest of the CV although you might have typed it out separately. This is (automatically) assuming that all resumes are done on a word document and not hand-written! The style and format of the text must be in accordance with the remaining details so that a sense of discipline is maintained and the document looks professional. Writing the references in big bold capital letters and over-stating them will just stand out of the neat print — avoid this. Make sure that the alignment is centered.
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Write the headlines in a drop down manner. Reference heading, contact name, professional title, address, best reachable number and email address. Clarity on paper implies clarity in thought! You don’t have to include any extras — just be crisp and to the point. Also ensure that the format you have chosen makes the letters clearly visible. The title might be in bold and in capital letters, but keep the rest simple.
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Now, you obviously have more than one reference. You can do either of the following things: (a) make columns and fit them accordingly or (b) just list them one below the other. Option two is better as you need to include all your references in one page and not more! Also, don’t reduce the size of the font just because it fails to fit the page — you must keep it uniform.
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A double space must be kept between all contacts so that one is easily distinguishable from the other. Alignment is again important. All the references must necessarily have the same indentation.
These are a few tips that you can use while writing your reference list. Don’t forget to thank the referees at the end because without them you probably wouldn’t have had the job but even if you don’t get a job, do take time out to thank them for attending the call — for it isn’t really their fault that you couldn’t make it!
