Job References

1
Job References

• Presented by
• Career Services
• Clarion University

2
Used by employers to

• Verify your K-A-S-E
• Knowledge
• Achievements
• Skills
• Experiences
• Determine if you meet the requirements for the
  position
• Help them make reliable hiring choices
• Right person for the job

3
Start early

• Make it a practice to obtain reference letters
  throughout your college career

4
Choose writers carefully

• Who can comment on your
• Knowledge and educational background?
• Skills and abilities?
• Achievements?
• Work habits?
• Who has observed you demonstrating skills used in
  your profession?
• Who can comment on your ability to perform the
  job?

5
Selecting References

• Best choice. Why? Most likely to be able to
  comment on your K-A-S-E as related to the
  position
• Faculty
• Academic advisor
• Organization advisors
• Coaches
• Current and former employers
• Internship/student teaching supervisors

• Okay choice. Why? May be able to comment on
  personal characteristics, but not on your recent
  K-A-S-E
• Family
• Friends
• Neighbors
• High school teachers/counselors

6
Ask appropriately

• Discuss your need for a reference
• Describe the positions for which it will be used
• Ask if he/she feels comfortable in writing a
  letter for you
• Request a general reference (that you can send to
  anyone) vs. a specific reference (addressed to a
  specific person or organization)

7
Ask appropriately (cont.)

• Provide background information to your reference
  writer
• Your resumé
• Discuss your K-A-S-E as related to the position
• Give writer at least two to three weeks

8
Provide feedback

• Write a thank-you note to anyone who provides a
  recommendation
• Let your references know if
• You got the job
• How helpful their recommendation letters were

9
Maintain written references

• Why?
• You never know when you may need a reference
• Sometimes its hard to track down the actual
  person for a reference
• Its easier for them to remember specific details
  about your qualifications now, not in the future
  
• Keep copies of your written recommendations in a
  safe place
• Maintain current addresses, telephone numbers,
  and e-mail addresses of your reference writers

10
Create a list of references

• List your references on a separate sheet
• Use it to accompany your resumé or application
  packet
• Include reference writers
• Name
• Job title
• Work address
• Daytime telephone number
• E-mail address

11
Additional questions?

• The Career Services staff will be happy to
  respond to your questions about job references.
• Contact us at 814-393-2323 or visit
  114 Egbert Hall to schedule an appointment.