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How often will professional employers ask for references? How many should I have?
Usually they want about 3. So have 3 current references, with current phone numbers and/or email addresses.
I have professional references but I also have personal references. Friends who worked in good spots professionally, such as project management.
Since everyone has "good" references, and they KNOW we aren't going to put down someone who is going to do us in, the whole reference thing is to get the hiring person off the hook. They don't want to be the one who hires the guy who goes postal or the guy who steals from the company. They basically want to know if you're "okay".
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Be sure to ask the people if they are willing to serve as a reference. You don't want to take them by surprise so they come off sounding surprised that you gave them, which can appear negative. When 2-3 candidates are close, the references can make the difference.
Be sure to ask the people if they are willing to serve as a reference. You don't want to take them by surprise so they come off sounding surprised that you gave them, which can appear negative. When 2-3 candidates are close, the references can make the difference.
Absolutely. And it is best to keep in contact with your references at times other than when you are using them as references. For example, I am still close enough to all of the people on my reference list that they were all invited to my wedding. And I think this is a good bar to use...if they are a good enough personal or professional current relationship to invite to an event, they are likely to be a good reference.
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