#1
Do not write the names of your references and their contact details on your CV.
Too many candidates do this when not everyone you send your CV to needs to get in touch with your references.
If you systematically share this information when you send your CV, there is logically a greater chance that your former employers will be bothered more often or even that this information will be misused.
Only share your references’ names and contact information when it’s truly helpful.
#2
Always ask for written references from your former employers, as these will help prove that you have the experience you claim to have without having to bother your former employers.
Send these reference letters with your applications but without any contact details. You will provide the contact details of your references when the time comes, if it is really necessary.
A lot of families are just great, and they’ll write you a very positive reference letter right away. Others are lazier, or too busy. They promise you one, but you never get it. To “motivate” them to write it, explain them that it will reduce the need for people to want to contact them too often. And if you see that it’s necessary, don’t hesitate to prepare a draft yourself and submit it to them… it can save them time and help everyone out!
#3
Keep in mind that you are not obligated to share your former employer’s contact information with anyone who asks, let alone on the spot.
Sometimes agencies want to speak to your references before they’ve even spoken to you, which is not normal.
If you want to get a job, yes, you’re going to have to provide references, but you should never feel pressured to provide them right here right now.
It’s easier said than done, but before sharing your references, make sure you can trust the person asking for them. For example, wait until you’ve had a first interview with someone from the agency before giving your references to this agency.
And above all, trust your gut. If at any point you have the impression that the agency seems a little too interested in your references, then you are probably right and therefore think twice before giving them this information.
If you’re not comfortable with an agency wanting your references’ contact information upfront, and need time to decide if you really want to continue registering with that agency, for example, you can politely explain the agency that you just need to notify the families before sharing their contact details, and that you will get back to the agency as soon as this is done. And you will then see if the agency still wants to schedule an interview, if not, maybe it’s best to keep looking…
#4
When you obtain a position through an agency, also ask the agency to provide you with a reference letter that confirms that they placed you, and the feedback they received from the client. Some agencies are just plain rude and will be pissed if you ask them for a reference letter, but most agencies will be more than happy to do so if it helps!
Applicants never think about it, but agencies are reliable sources for checking a person’s employment history, and having 2 reference letters for a single position can only boost the credibility of your CV!
When you have been placed by agencies, and you are asked for the contact details of your references right away, and you are not very comfortable with the idea of giving the contact details of your former employers right away, first start by listing the agencies that placed you as references.
Agencies hate it when candidates do this, some will assure you that no candidates use the agencies as a reference and that it is obligatory to give family contact details, some will look for convincing arguments and will be super nice to get you to give in and get direct contacts from your former employers, and some will even simply refuse to work with you if you don’t give them access to your contacts right away.
But many agencies also understand, and put themselves in the candidates’ shoes. They know that it is not always possible to get in touch with the candidates’ former employers and are happy to check your employment history with the agencies that placed you.
Using agencies as a reference can actually be a very good way for candidates to see if an agency really intends to help you or if they just want to use your contacts to advertise their services…
And obviously, if necessary, you can always provide the contact details of your former employers later in the recruitment process.
#5
Don’t apply just for the sake of applying, otherwise your references will also be checked just for the sake of being checked.
Candidates tend to send a lot of unsuitable applications and if their references are constantly disturbed, it’s sometimes a bit of their fault…
Only register with agencies that specialize in the type of role you’re looking for or that offer them regularly, not those that have them once every 2 years, because it’s not worth bothering your references.
Only apply for jobs you’re likely to get, not jobs you simply like and for which it’s obvious you’re not suited.
If you direct your search better and if you apply better, your references will logically need to be checked less often!
