So I'm filling out an employment application, and under 'References' it says "Please list 3 professional references with at least one business reference (DO NOT use friends, relatives or co-workers as references)"
If they aren't a friend, relative, or co-worker then what are they? Doesn't this limit me to listing "Some guy you don't actually know, but who bought something from you or you collaborated with but didn't actually work with" ?
I'm a bit confused as to what they want. :P
We ask the same question on our apps here.
When I'm reviewing them, I'm looking for former supervisors, which are technically co-workers but someone who may have a little more insight as to your job performance ratherthan just someone you worked with and may or may not be a friend to you.
Additionally, maybe someone you interacted with from another company such as a vendor, or rep. I know if I were to answer that question I would list at least one of the bank reps I deal with on a daily basis. They can give and unbiased opinion on my professionalism, ethics, etc.
I hope this helps.
there have been times I have listed friends with whom I have asked them if they'de be a constructive professional type reference for me and visa-versa, but it is with the direct knowledge beforehand, so they are prepared with an answer and an idea of whom would be calling them and why...they don't want to talk to someone who's your beer buddy who is going to tell them how you stink palmed the boss this one night after bowling....they want some loosely construable reference towards work that can build an image of the person they are hiring from sources other than your interview....so make it somehow loosely around work if you can, even if it is a loose extrapolation of some work project you did with someone maybe at one point or other...
Thanks! [thumbsup]
Quote from: Monstermash on August 25, 2010, 10:31:56 AM
When I'm reviewing them, I'm looking for former supervisors, which are technically co-workers
Wouldn't they technically be former co-workers? How can they be a co-worker if you not long work with them?
I think what they are meaning as "co-worker" is someone that is an equal to you.
My references that I used for my MBA program were:
1. My boss (oh wait, he never filled it out in time)
1. HR Manager of my building
2. Area Vice President of Sales for my company
3. Director of Supply Chain and Logistics.
4. Former CFO of the company I used to work for before we got bought by the Britt's
2 work in my building, one is remote user, and the other is a former employee.
They are all "co-workers" as we work for the same company, but I don't directly work along side them, just have many dealings with them, so they know my work ethic and can vouch for me.
Quote from: MrIncredible on August 25, 2010, 12:35:40 PM
Wouldn't they technically be former co-workers? How can they be a co-worker if you not long work with them?
Dave, are you part Chinese ?
Dolph :)
That's always a tricky one to answer Zarn.
Sticking with the topic of applying for a job..
the s/o is the HR Dept at her new job. She got a call from a guy who said he sent in his resume via email about a month ago. He wanted to know if the company received it. Since it's the s/o's second week at this place, she had no clue so she asked for his name and email. OBVIOUSLY, this guy has no friggen clue on the concept of applying for a job and setting a positive first impression!! He gives his name and his email. It was something along the lines of..
giveit2her69@_______.com
Seriously?! [bang]
Quote from: IZ on August 27, 2010, 07:33:02 PM
That's always a tricky one to answer Zarn.
Sticking with the topic of applying for a job..
the s/o is the HR Dept at her new job. She got a call from a guy who said he sent in his resume via email about a month ago. He wanted to know if the company received it. Since it's the s/o's second week at this place, she had no clue so she asked for his name and email. OBVIOUSLY, this guy has no friggen clue on the concept of applying for a job and setting a positive first impression!! He gives his name and his email. It was something along the lines of..
giveit2her69@_______.com
Seriously?! [bang]
It's just his way of saying he's into teamwork to achieve a goal together.
It's pretty poor form to call in about an application anyway.
If they haven't called you........odds are they didn't want you.
Quote from: IZ on August 27, 2010, 07:33:02 PM
<snip>It was something along the lines of..
giveit2her69@_______.com
Seriously?! [bang]
Hah! Yeah, I remember a guy I met in college talking about doing school and scholarship apps. He said he'd made sure to make a new email for those, but he had some dumbass friends who applied for things with addresses like '2drunk4life@whatever.com'. Really guys? [laugh]
Getting back to the references question (I'm the HR director for an IT company)...when I ask prospective hires for references, I generally ask for 3 - 5 professional references, and those people should be a mix of supervisors and peers (if the person has been a manager, I like to get a subordinate reference as well). Teamwork is really important in our company, and I've found that peers often have a more realistic view of someone's team abilities than the supervisor might. YMMV.
Can references actually say much about you any way? The current myth at my work is that as a reference either you either say good things or nothing at all.
mitt
Quote from: mitt on August 28, 2010, 06:21:18 PM
Can references actually say much about you any way? The current myth at my work is that as a reference either you either say good things or nothing at all.
mitt
You just need to speak in code.
I'd like to say something positive about this employee but all that comes to mind is "mazy loron".