Contacting business references for a prospective employee remains a standard part of “due diligence” in hiring for most employers.  Here are four tips for improving the quality of references provided on your behalf.

1.  Ask permission in advance from anyone whose name you plan to provide as a reference.  Employers find it frustrating when they take the time to contact a reference, only to be told that it’s against company policy for that person to give them any information.  So at best it’s frustrating; at worst, this can make you seem ill-prepared.

2.  Provide accurate contact information for each reference, including both a phone number and an email address when possible.  Employers increasingly prefer to contact references by email, which gives the reference the option to respond at a convenient time.  It is also helpful to have a phone number as a back-up, should the email contact fail or should the prospective employer have additional questions.

3.  Give a copy of your basic resume to each reference.  This helps him/her to remember your work more completely, as well as prompting a little thought about concrete examples of your excellent work style.

4.  Send a copy of the job description to each reference in instances where you are fairly confident they will be contacted.  This gives them a chance to think about how your work history is a strong match for this new opportunity.  It also gives them a hint about who might be in contact and why it’s especially important to respond.

It’s a little extra effort, but well worth your time and energy to increase the effectiveness of your references!

Elyse Williamson is a Staffing Consultant for Frank’s Employment, a full-service staffing agency assisting businesses in the Fox Valley and far west Chicago suburbs since 1957.