Job reference etiquette

by Heidi Allison

It makes good business sense – and is respectful professional etiquette – to stay in touch with your former bosses. Your efforts to stay connected with past employers should pay dividends many times over when they provide you with favorable professional references. Don’t believe that former employers are not allowed to say anything, as many times they will expound on both BAD and good qualities.

If you were planning to hire someone and his or her former boss did not return your call, what message would that convey? According to reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor's Managing Director Heidi Allison, “In today’s highly competitive job market, people pay much attention to their resumes and interview skills. Unfortunately, many fail to nurture their professional references. These references will most likely make or break a job offer.”

To enhance the chances of always landing the next job one wants, Allison suggests job seekers of all professional backgrounds follow these Five Golden Rules of Job Reference Etiquette:

1. Call your former bosses and ask them if they are willing to be good job references for you. Give them a career update.

2. Let them know each and every time you give out their names and email addresses. Thank your former bosses for their time. An email is fine, keep them in the loop.

3. Keep your former positive references informed of your experiences in climbing the corporate ladder and your educational progress. They will be more inclined to see you in a stronger light as you progress.

4. Spending time with a potential employer is taking valuable time out of your former bosses' schedule. If you plan to use these positive references over the years, you need to give something back. For instance, after receiving good job references, write a personal thank-you letter or, at a minimum, send an email. Better still, send a thank-you note with a gift card for Starbucks, or offer to take your former boss to lunch/dinner.

5. If you win the new position, call or email your former bosses and thank them again for the positive references. Also, let them know your new contact information.

Allison says the most important rule for job seekers is to never leave your professional references to chance. “If you are not 100 percent convinced that your professional references and past employers will relay positive comments about you to prospective employers, have them checked out,” Allison said. “A professional reference-checking firm can either put your mind at ease, or supply you with the critical information and evidence that may be blocking your job-search efforts.”