Choose Your Job Search References Carefully

An essential component of a successful job search is the compilation of a solid group of employment references. Companies considering you as a candidate for one of their security roles will ask you to provide contact details for three – five professional references. Having the right references ready to go at a moment’s notice can expedite a job offer.

You may be asked to provide these in advance of a final job offer with the understanding your references will not be contacted until you have spoken to them directly. Other organizations will incorporate reference checks into a background process.

Too often candidates fail to prepare for this in advance and send a hastily compiled list of former colleagues and professional acquaintances with whom they have a positive relationship. This may prove useful for a cursory validation of your background. However, a list that was thrown together reactively vs proactively can work to your detriment.

Candidates often send us a list of friends whose responsibilities would be considered the same professional level as they are. Peer references are useful in certain situations, but they are not necessarily able to provide a clear description of your professional capabilities and competencies.

You may feel reluctant to let your current employer know that you are interviewing. However, it is particularly important to present references who functioned as your managing supervisor…

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