Suppose you are an IT consultant who is looking for a project, it is possible that companies interested in you will ask for references. This is one of the aspects that most companies take into account when deciding whether to hire a consultant or not. So, it is important that you pay attention to the references you get. They can make or break your chances with a prospective client.
Choose references with care
Ideally, you should choose a reference that knows about you and your accomplishments. Some of those who are likely to offer references are former employers and managers. Request references from those who will be willing to speak well of you. Before you use their contact information and a name, you should get in touch with them and take their permission.
This way they will know that people are likely to contact them to ask about you. They will be able to prepare well in advance what they say about you. You can also request them to focus on positive aspects about you.
Don’t add references to your resume
It is best to not add references to your cover letter or resume. This is because this information can crowd them. It can sometimes overpower the achievements and qualifications you list in your resume. One of the best ways to present your references is as a separate document. Ensure that the format and font on the document are similar to those on the resume and covering letter.
Avoid adding all references in all resumes
Avoid providing all references to all the companies to which you send your cover letters and resumes. It is possible that the people who volunteer to speak about you may be contacted by several companies. This can be a hassle for them. To avoid this, ideally, you should use each reference only a few times.
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