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Good references are easy to find. Let's say you work in IT and software. There are many user groups for them. You join them, and make friends with people there. Or you go to trade shows and workshops, and meet people there. You stay in touch with them, and ask if they would be a reference for you. These are people who don't work at your current or former companies.
That sounds like a good option if you live in a big city. not everybody does, however.
Someone you happen to meet at a trade show that you've never worked with? Not sure what kind of a reference they'd willing or be able to provide.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eastcoastguyz
The key thing for references, is that you want people who know how to talk about you in a professional manner and will respond to an inquiry when requested.
Someone I know well enough to ask for a reference is probably someone I can tell that I'm jobhunting in stealth mode...I'd ask them not to spread anything about it. I've served as a reference for several people and always kept their requests private without being asked, as job hunts (and reasons behind them) can be touchy topics. Even more so within the same company. I would never blab about serving as someone's reference without that person's OK.
Not everybody has your integrity. Some will not hesitate to throw you under the bus if it will help advance their own career.
That sounds like a good option if you live in a big city. not everybody does, however.
Someone you happen to meet at a trade show that you've never worked with? Not sure what kind of a reference they'd willing or be able to provide.
Agreed.
I've met people at trade shows, and built relationships with them over the years. Keep in touch through email, shared technical problems we were trying to solve, selection of vendors, talk over the phone, etc. And hung out at other tradeshows and sometimes workshops. I've used references where we never worked at the same place, but in the same industry. I don't see how you couldn't form these kinds of relationships with like minded people in your profession, unless you are simply avoiding contact with the outside world.
I've met people at trade shows, and built relationships with them over the years. Keep in touch through email, shared technical problems we were trying to solve, selection of vendors, talk over the phone, etc. And hung out at other tradeshows and sometimes workshops. I've used references where we never worked at the same place, but in the same industry. I don't see how you couldn't form these kinds of relationships with like minded people in your profession, unless you are simply avoiding contact with the outside world.
Did you read my post? Trade shows tend to occur in big cities. Not everyone lives in or near a big city.
Did you read my post? Trade shows tend to occur in big cities. Not everyone lives in or near a big city.
You travel on vacation, you can travel to a trade show. I know a guy who drives over 4 hours to get to trade shows each year. You have to set priorities in your life, or you can add this too to your long list of excuses.
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