Firstly, choose your references carefully. Your references should be people with whom you've actually worked on a daily basis within the last five to seven years. They should be people who know you and are familiar with your job performance. But more importantly, they should be willing to talk to prospective employers when they call.
Make sure that your referee is able to provide a reference, that it is not corporate policy to refer to personnel.
Get permission from those you hope to list as references. Not only is it the courteous thing to do, but it will also help ensure they will talk to a prospective employer as they will be expecting the call.
You also want to choose someone who will be honest and not necessarily just say good things. None of us are perfect and for a reference to suggest that you were the best employee they've ever had, with no weaknesses at all, would be a disservice to you for a number of reasons and raise concerns over your employment.
First, you don't want your references to overstate your skills and abilities in an attempt to help you get a job for which you're not adequately qualified. Second, an honest assessment of your present skills and abilities, as well as areas for improvement, is far better for you and the prospective employer in the long run. Third, being hired to do a job for which you lack experience, skills or training will be far more damaging to your career than accepting a job that is right for you in terms of where you are on your career path.
The best way to insure your references can honestly say good things about you is to perform well on the job. While that may seem obvious, doing a good job for every employer you work for and moving up the ladder is ultimately how successful people reach their career goals.
For more information about providing references or further career advice contact us.