Why References Should Be Professional and Personal?

When one is applying for a job, it is important to make a good impression whether in an interview or just filling out an application. One aspect of the application is a person’s references. There are a few reasons why references should be professional and personal.

Employers prefer to have some references that had a professional relationship with the applicant because they are a more reliable source of information. If all the references given are friends and family, the employer cannot expect to hear an unbiased account of the person’s work ethic. One should also choose professional references, so that they are able to give the potential employer a detailed account of his previous responsibilities, experience, and job performance. A professional reference can confirm and expand upon information that was included on the applicant’s resume.

Choosing a personal reference is also vital to a good application. It is best to choose someone that had consistent contact with the applicant. Someone who actually knew the applicant is better able to give detailed answers to an employer’s questions, as well as being more likely to praise the person. Many personal references can also give information regarding a person’s experiences. Some activities can attest to an applicant’s work ethic and skill, even if they are not work related. Fellow members of an organization or volunteer group are good personal references. For example, volunteering at a nursing home can show that an applicant has the social skills needed to work in a hospital, while experience gained while helping run an organization can be applied to a job as a manager or team leader.

Giving references that are both professional and personal can be very beneficial when applying for a job. This allows employers to gain professional accounts of a person’s experience from a person that knows the applicant enough to add details of his own. A coworker or a supervisor who is also a friend is one example of a reference that offers the benefits of a professional and a personal relationship.