is 'Reference' important?

[tgmaggie]

Hello everyone,

I know that some people attach the 'Reference' with their resumes when they apply the jobs. I'm just wondering whether the employers really care and read the 'Reference' and provide the canadiates with higher chance to get hired?

Thanks a lot.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

References are usually called afterward, to check up on anything you said that might be lying. And some character questions. No need to waste time with references of candidates that you have no interest in hiring.

[bm1729]

The prevailing wisdom, as is my understanding, is that references should be excluded from your résumé. Companies usually ask for references after they interview you. The end of your résumé should thus read as follows:

References: Available upon request

[aces219]

It's not even necessary to put that line at the end of the resume. It's just assumed.

[Wigmeister General]

Unless your references are prominent individuals, don't bother.

[Buru Buru]

Nobody has ever checked (or even asked for) my references whether or not they were going to offer me a job.

[Math Geek]

Do you need references for entry-level job?

[abacustwo]

Would you suggest to bring them along to the interview in case they ask for references?

[Wigmeister General]

Originally Posted by stu

Would you suggest to bring them along to the interview in case they ask for references?

Excellent move. Keep them in a folder. When asked, pull them out. (Works even better if the references are written.)

[bm1729]

Originally Posted by stu

Would you suggest to bring them along to the interview in case they ask for references?

Yes, you should always have the sheet of paper that lists your references handy during an interview, especially if your résumé says, "References available upon request."

Given that a sheet of paper weighs next to nothing, and that your briefcase -- which you should always carry with you in an interview -- weighs considerably more than next to nothing, it goes without saying that you should always have your list of references with you in your briefcase when interviewing. Imagine your interviewer asking, "Can you provide us with a list of references?" and you replying, "Sure. I'll e-mail them to you in a couple of days." You wouldn't come off sounding very professional, would you, by essentially admitting that that nice brown leather Renwick briefcase that you're lugging around is empty -- or contains only your lunch.