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How Important Are Job References?

Genie Fletcher -- Reference checks play a major part in a recruiter's decision to hire a potential applicant. After all, employers want to make absolutely sure that you can function in a work environment that they manage.

If you are wondering if employers still solicit and read resumes, the answer is most certainly yes. Furthermore, even in the 21st century where standards for employment have seemingly changed beyond all recognition, resumes still need to get filled out. And, sure enough, your prospective employer will still insist on reading them. What definitely has changed is the manner in which they evaluate the information you provide on your resume.

References are still very important and must be provided

If you are unsure if providing references is still important, once again the answer is most certainly yes. In the modern information age, providing references may be more important than ever.

Because employers are able to contact and verify references more easily than ever, it's a good idea to provide names and numbers of employers that have a positive opinion of your work performance. The more experience and prestige that you can muster in this critical area, the better your chances at being hired for the position you are applying for.

Which elements are absolutely necessary for a job resume?

When you're filling out your resume, there are certain elements that are essential to include. Reliable references are definitely a high priority and the references that you provide should be based upon the following criteria:

-- A full description of all previous jobs that are relevant to the present position you are applying for.
-- A complete list of all the duties you performed in the course of these jobs.
-- All information that will lead to a confirmation and verification that you did indeed hold these jobs and perform these specific duties.
-- A full description of any special recognition (job titles, promotions, awards) that you may have received as a result of holding these jobs and performing these duties.

Reference checks are still a crucial factor in an employer's decision

It's important to note that reference checks still play a major part in an employer's decision to hire a potential applicant. This means that it's an excellent idea to provide reliable and up-to-date contact information for your past supervisors. A hiring manager will naturally want to know what kind of employee you were. Any and all positive information that a reference can give you will be useful.

You need to show that you can thrive in a new work environment

There are other factors that come into play here, such as the sort of duties you performed, and under what kind of conditions you performed them. The "culture" of a work environment is an element that a modern employer will scrutinize closely. This is because work culture is an intangible element that is becoming more and more specialized to a specific environment in a specific industry.

Your prospective employer will want to make absolutely sure that you come from—and can function in—a work environment that is similar enough to the one they currently manage in their own office. If you can show that you are able and likely to survive in this new atmosphere, you will have a much better chance of securing the position for which you are applying.

Source: Ezinearticles.com.

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© 2017 Genie Fletcher

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