This list will help you get great audio and visual references on your resume. It is also a great thing to send to your references right before they are called.
Few people prepare their references to talk about them. Fewer still have their references recorded and included with their resume. Does it make sense in your job search?
You forget what your kid did yesterday. People forget what you did. Friends forget how you helped them. And I guarantee your boss can’t remember everything you did.
Mark Twain said, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech”
You can get better “impromptu” references by jogging memories. There are two ways to do it. One is to give your references a list of questions they may want to answer. The second is to send them a list of wonderful things you did that they may want to mention. Anything you send them will probably be read and thrown away, but they may remember one or two points when the call comes from your potential employer.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to send them:
- What were my biggest accomplishments?
- How did I make a difference?
- How did I save money?
- Was I willing to work extra hours?
- What projects could not have been finished without me?
- How well did I handle a particular crisis?
- What did I suggest that saved time or money?
- How did I keep customers happy?
- Why did customers like dealing with me?
- Which customers only worked with me? Why?
- How did my teammates feel when I left?
- Was I loyal?
- Would you rehire me? Why?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you rank me? Why?
Don’t forget, it may be a good idea to send a few reminders about the answers to the questions.
This list will also be useful if you are using audio references on your resume.
Few people prepare their references to talk about them. Fewer still have their references recorded and included with their resume. Does it make sense in your job search?
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You can get a free 21 day trial to put the voice of your references on your resume: http://members.audiogenerator.com/specialinfo.asp?x=584262
Or create your own using your cell phone and YouTube.
Something to do today
Put together a list of questions your references can answer, or accomplishments you hope they mention. When you know they are about to get called, send them the lists. It could make a big difference.
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Later: Making dogs dance