Once you get to the final stages of a hiring process, the employer will want to have a chat with people that can give you a professional reference. They may give them a call or might even want to speak to the referees in person in case they have particular questions about your experience and character.

The job market is sluggish at the moment and there is lots of competition for every position out there. Having great references is another string to your bow, and it might be what tips the balance in your favor.

How do we go about obtaining these references? Here are a few tips that have worked for other job seekers:

Be selective

Don’t just put any old colleague down as a referee. If the employer has a slightest doubt about any of your experiences, you can expect the referee to be grilled on this point. Therefore, you will need to know what they are likely to say when questioned about your tenure with them. Pick thick skinned referees that can withstand a barrage of questions and turn the answers into favorable endorsements. In case you don’t have any true fans at your previous employer, you could opt for referees outside of work that know you well enough.

Give heads up

You have to ask for permission and make sure your referees are ready to receive a phone call from your potential new employer at any time. The referee should be made aware what the questions are likely to be about and the duration of the call. You could even help scheduling calls between the employer and your referees in case they are busy bees.

Keep them informed

To be sure your referees and you are singing from the same hymn sheet, you can send your entire application pack, complete with cover letter, resume, bio and any other bits. This will give them a chance to catch up on your latest experiences and what type of position you are going for. The better informed they are, the better reference they are likely to give you.

Maintain your network

Now that you have caught up with old work mates and they have done you a favor, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to catch up over lunch. People like doing favors for others and they like to receive favors in return, this is what networking is all about. Use the reference as a way to see what they are up to and how you could potentially help them in the future.