HR-Productions

Too many references can make it difficult for your personal standpoint to shine through.
2. It is generally advisable to use one to three references to support each key point you make, depending on the subject matter and the point you are discussing.
3. This allows for a greater focus on your personal standpoint.

Can references be family?

You should avoid listing family members or your spouse as personal references as they might be perceived as biased.
2. You want to choose personal references who have known you for at least one year, think positively of you, are able to communicate well, and are available on short notice.

What should you not say as a reference?

It is inappropriate to discuss an employee’s personal details, including their race, religion, age, or disability status, when requesting a reference.
2. Additionally, you should never discuss an employee’s ethnic origin, marital status, parenting responsibilities, or sexual orientation during a reference request.

What should you not reference?

Common knowledge does not need to be cited. This includes information that can be found in many sources and is generally accepted.
2. Observable facts do not need to be cited. If a fact is something that can be seen or experienced, you do not need a citation.
3. Original ideas do not need to be cited. This is information that comes from your own experiences or thoughts.

Do employers actually call references?

It is essentially true that employers always check references. While there may be some Human Resources departments that do not call references during pre-employment screening, most do. If you are about to begin a job search, you should expect that your references will be checked.