By Goretti Kimani
It is common knowledge that you have to include a list of referees on your CV. Seasoned professionals appreciate the need for authentic and reliable referees. They know that a referee can determine whether you get that much-coveted job or not.
Moreover, background checks have become a tradition in many companies across the world today. So once the hustle and bustle of the initial interview process is over and the right candidate has been identified, it is time for other people to talk on their behalf, and this is where the referees come in.
Unfortunately, many people do not give much thought to this vital part of their CV. They include friends, close and distant relatives, and just about anyone they think counts as referees.
But referees should be carefully chosen. If you have previous working experience, your current or last supervisor or manager should be among your referees. Failure to include referees from past employers may be an indicator that you are not a good worker, and are afraid that they might spill the beans on you.
Sully your name
All job seekers should know that most employers will contact your previous employers as long as this information is included as part of your work experience. It is, therefore, critical to match your work experience with the referees.
This means that you should have at least one referee from every company you have worked for, starting with the latest.
For fresh graduates, include your former school dean or lecturer. You can also include your supervisors during holiday attachment, or well-respected people in your society.
So how do you go about choosing the referees?
It is imperative to leave malicious people and acquaintances out of the list. This is because your referees should back up your appeal, so anyone who might sully your name should not be included.
You also have to inform your referees that you have included their name in your list of referees. This is especially crucial for referees from past employment who you are not in regular close contact with. It is also your duty to inform your referees of impending changes so that they can expect that call or letter.
You should also make a point of updating the contact details for your referees regularly. As a rule referee information should include the name, title, company, postal address and a phone number. A personal cell phone is usually preferred over office lines that can sometimes be bureaucratic to get through.
Foolish decision
Other factors to consider include standing in society and literacy levels. For instance, it is foolish to include a known criminal no matter how prominent, as a referee.
Finally, referees should be people who have your best interest at heart. Most employers might require a written response from referees, and they should be willing to go out of their way to expend energy and resources in your favour.
This therefore means that you have to build good relationships at work. As we have written here before, quitting a job in the wrong way and leaving a trail of offended people can spell a death knell for your career future.
Your colleagues, supervisor or manager today will most likely be called upon to give some information about your in the future
The writer is a human resources specialist with Peoplelink Consultants Ltd.
Email: info@peoplelink.co.ke