References are a way to confirm the details of your resume and cover letter pitch. Everybody knows that past behavior is an excellent indicator of future performance. A good reference will show you are trustworthy, reliable, self-starting, cooperative, and hard-working.

Ask the Expert

Industry specialists tell all about contacting the reference.

“I ask about the kind of employee the applicant was, about the specific job tasks and duties they were required to perform. I ask about reliability, where they excelled, and where they need to brush up on their skills. I also ask if they would be eligible for re-hire.”
      -Kate Lain, Human Resources Manager, Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc.

“What did the employee do for you? What was their hourly rate? Did you ever have any issues with attendance, tardiness, work ethic, or professionalism? If/when you did a performance review for them, what did you identify as opportunities for improvement for them? Why did this person leave your organization?”
      -Jason Lessman, Manager of Corporate Recruiting, Boston Market Corporation

“We first want to verify the information that you have supplied us. This includes your position, pay, employment dates, and re-hire status. For many companies, this is the official information that is shared with other employees. Of course, we would like additional information from your immediate supervisor. Ideally, we want to know about your work experience, service orientation, and interpersonal skills.”
      -Randy Goldberg, Executive Director Recruiting, Hyatt Hotels Corporation