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Week 9: Stand Out with Your After-Interviewing Skills

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Prepare and Take Care of Your References​​

Play Video about The cat telling the dog to choose which career strength to highlight in the resume for a big treat.

Video Time: 7 Minutes           Action Time: Around 1 Hour

Video Time: 7 Minute

Action Time: Around 1 Hour

1 Determine who your best references would be.
Some examples of potential references include former employers, past coworkers, advisers, or supervisors. Just make sure you have a good relationship with the people you choose. If they ever yell “you’ll never work in this town again” while shaking their fist at you, they probably won’t be the best reference.

2 Ask them to be your reference.
Call them or set up a virtual meeting to ask for their permission to be used as a reference. Always ask and remember to be appreciative! Once the quarantine is over, promise a lunch date or go somewhere to get a cup of coffee. What better way is there for someone to think you’re cool than by buying them lunch?

3 Let them know what is going on in your job search.
Let them know what’s going on with your job search: where you’re at in the job search, what positions you’re applying for, the process, and what you’re lined up for. They should be excited for you and encouraging! If they aren’t, don’t use them as references! And cut them off from your life, immediately! You deserve better than their negative energy!

4 Come up with three strengths for them to use during the call that pertains to the job and one weakness that can be made into a strength.
For example, when using someone as your reference, say to them “(insert name), the three strengths I’d like for you to talk about are problem-solving, communication, and understanding the big picture. If they ask for a weakness, please mention that I’m super creative/artistic and will not do well in a conservative/traditional environment.” (In other words, the US Bank of America would probably not be your dream job.)

5 Ask them to be your personal private eye.
Ask your reference to let you know what they ask about you. You can use that information to help you land the job. It’s almost as good as changing your voice a little and being your own reference, which is not advised. It’s very embarrassing if you get caught.

6 Have an attitude of gratitude!
Thank them again! They’re your salesperson, private eye, your insider reporter, and are selling your skills. If they do a great job and help you get the job, send them a THANK YOU! A gift card, or a Thank You card, or a roll of toilet paper (the ultimate COVID currency.) Add a testimonial, recommendation, and endorsement to their LinkedIn. You can also brag about them on your other frequently used social media sites. Post about what a great friend, mentor, or supporter they’ve been for you, and then tag them to see your kind words. Remember, they’re taking time out of their busy schedule to help you, so the next time you go to post that selfie, take a few minutes to thank someone who has helped you out on your career journey.

1Determine who your best references would be.
Some examples of potential references include former employers, past coworkers, advisers, or supervisors. Just make sure you have a good relationship with the people you choose. If they ever yell “you’ll never work in this town again” while shaking their fist at you, they probably won’t be the best reference.

2 Ask them to be your reference.
Call them or set up a virtual meeting to ask for their permission to be used as a reference. Always ask and remember to be appreciative! Once the quarantine is over, promise a lunch date or go somewhere to get a cup of coffee. What better way is there for someone to think you’re cool than by buying them lunch?

3 Let them know what is going on in your job search.
Let them know what’s going on with your job search: where you’re at in the job search, what positions you’re applying for, the process, and what you’re lined up for. They should be excited for you and encouraging! If they aren’t, don’t use them as references! And cut them off from your life, immediately! You deserve better than their negative energy!

4 Come up with three strengths for them to use during the call that pertains to the job and one weakness that can be made into a strength.
For example, when using someone as your reference, say to them “(insert name), the three strengths I’d like for you to talk about are problem-solving, communication, and understanding the big picture. If they ask for a weakness, please mention that I’m super creative/artistic and will not do well in a conservative/traditional environment.” (In other words, the US Bank of America would probably not be your dream job.)

5 Ask them to be your personal private eye.
Ask your reference to let you know what they ask about you. You can use that information to help you land the job. It’s almost as good as changing your voice a little and being your own reference, which is not advised. It’s very embarrassing if you get caught.

6 Have an attitude of gratitude!
Thank them again! They’re your salesperson, private eye, your insider reporter, and are selling your skills. If they do a great job and help you get the job, send them a THANK YOU! A gift card, or a Thank You card, or a roll of toilet paper (the ultimate COVID currency.) Add a testimonial, recommendation, and endorsement to their LinkedIn. You can also brag about them on your other frequently used social media sites. Post about what a great friend, mentor, or supporter they’ve been for you, and then tag them to see your kind words. Remember, they’re taking time out of their busy schedule to help you, so the next time you go to post that selfie, take a few minutes to thank someone who has helped you out on your career journey.

Want to make sure your references are giving you good reviews to those employers? Showing your gratitude is how you make sure that happens.

 

That’s the end of our Week 09 – see you next week for “Negotiating and Managing Multiple Offer Letters.” Have a Super Day!

Super Links

  • 3 Follow-up Email Templates That Are Pretty Hard for a Hiring Manager to Ignore
  • The Right Way to Follow Up After a Job Interview
  • How to Write the Perfect Post-Interview Thank You Note

Want to make sure your references are giving you good reviews to those employers? Showing your gratitude is how you make sure that happens.

 

That’s the end of our Week 09 – see you next week for “Negotiating and Managing Multiple Offer Letters.” Have a Super Day!

Super Links

  • 3 Follow-up Email Templates That Are Pretty Hard for a Hiring Manager to Ignore
  • The Right Way to Follow Up After a Job Interview
  • How to Write the Perfect Post-Interview Thank You Note
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