Handlerkron.com – Looking for a job can be an arduous task, and it’s common to turn to our references to help seal the deal. But what happens when we don’t get the job? Should we tell our references? It’s a common question many job seekers ask themselves, and the answer might not be as straightforward as one might expect. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors to consider and offer some practical tips on whether or not you should inform your references when you don’t get the job.
The Importance of Professional References
One of the most valuable assets you can have in your career is a strong professional network, which includes professional references. These are individuals who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and character to potential employers. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are a seasoned professional, having a list of trusted and supportive references can open doors to new opportunities and help you stand out from other job applicants.
Professional references are typically former supervisors, colleagues, clients, or industry contacts who have experience working with you in a professional capacity. They are knowledgeable about your job skills, work habits, and performance, and can provide first-hand insight into your qualifications as a candidate. Having strong references can help offset any potential shortcomings in your resume or job application, and can give hiring managers added confidence in their decision to hire you.
It’s important to choose your references wisely, selecting individuals who can speak highly of your abilities and work history. Ideally, you’ll want to choose references who have a good reputation in your industry, and who have experience hiring or working with others in your field. It’s also important to choose individuals who you trust and who you believe will follow through on providing a reference when asked.
To build and maintain a strong network of professional references, it’s important to keep in touch with former colleagues and supervisors, as well as attend industry events and conferences where you can meet new contacts. You can also ask current and former clients if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you, provided that you had a positive working relationship with them.
When you do ask someone to serve as a reference for you, make sure to ask permission first, and provide them with a copy of your current resume and a brief synopsis of the position you’re applying for. This way, they’ll be able to speak more effectively to your qualifications, and can tailor their response to the specific position and company you’re applying to.
You can also take steps to make it easy for your references to provide a favorable review of your skills and qualifications. For example, you can provide them with a list of key projects or accomplishments that you would like them to highlight in their reference, or even write a draft reference letter for them to review and edit as needed.
Finally, be sure to keep your references up to date on your job search progress, including whether or not you’ve been offered the position. This is not only a common courtesy, but can also help you maintain these valuable connections for future job searches down the road.
The etiquette of notifying references
Asking someone to be your reference for a job can be a big deal. You’re essentially asking them to vouch for you and trust that you’ll represent them well. If you didn’t get the job, it’s natural to wonder if you should let those references know the outcome. Here are a few things to consider:
There’s no obligation to update them
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that you’re not obligated to tell your references whether or not you got the job. Their role was to provide insight into your skills, experience, and work ethic, and that’s where their involvement ends. If you choose not to tell them, it doesn’t reflect poorly on you or suggest that you don’t value their support. It simply means that you’re not required to give them an update.
Consider their investment
That being said, it may be worth considering the investment your references made in your job search. Did they take time out of their day to write a detailed recommendation letter? Did they offer to make introductions or connect you with other professionals in your field? If someone went above and beyond to support your job search, it may be a nice gesture to let them know that you appreciate their help and that the outcome wasn’t what you had hoped for.
Be honest, but gracious
If you do decide to tell your references that you didn’t get the job, be honest but gracious in your approach. Thank them for their support, and then share the news in a tactful way. For example, you might say “I wanted to let you know that unfortunately, I didn’t get the job. But I really appreciate your help and support throughout this process, and I’m grateful for the time and effort you put into speaking with the hiring manager.”
Find the silver lining
Finally, try to find a silver lining in the situation. Perhaps you made it to the final round of interviews and were one of the top candidates, which is a testament to your skills and experience. Maybe you received valuable feedback from the hiring manager that will help you improve your interview skills for the next opportunity. Whatever the case may be, try to focus on the positive aspects of the experience and communicate those to your references as well.
Overall, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you should tell your references you didn’t get the job. If you do choose to share the news, be gracious, honest, and appreciative of their support. At the end of the day, whether or not you got the job doesn’t change the fact that you have a network of professionals who believe in you and want to see you succeed.
Communication with references throughout the job search process
References are a crucial aspect of any job search process. They play an integral role in helping prospective employers make decisions about a candidate. When someone lists you as a reference, you become an extension of their professional reputation. Therefore, it is essential to maintain good communication with your references throughout the job search process.
There is often confusion on whether to notify your references if you didn’t secure a job. While some job seekers may prefer to keep their references in the loop, others may feel uncomfortable sharing this information. Whatever decision you make regarding this matter, it’s good to keep in mind how frequent communication with your references can help you stick out in a competitive job market.
Notify Your References Informally After Each Interview
It is a common practice to prepare a set of references when applying for a job. As you move forward with your job application process, it’s crucial to keep your references informed. A good way to do this is by emailing them after each interview. This communication can serve as a reminder to your references about the job and make them feel more invested in your job search process. You don’t need to share every detail with them, but a simple update would be appreciated.
It is also essential to allow your references some room to prepare for possible inquiries the potential employer may have about you. Suppose you stay in regular contact with your references, it will be easier for them to tailor their responses to the potential employer.
Set Clear Expectations with Your References
Setting expectations with your references is another way to maintain good communication with them throughout the job search process. Before you give your prospective employer’s contact information to your references, have a conversation with them about your expectations. Explain the type of position you are seeking, the skills required, and what you’re looking for in an employer. By doing this, your references will have more context and give more nuanced responses to inquiries made by the potential employers.
You should also ask how your references would like to be contacted and how best to reach them. Discuss the type of questions the employer might ask. For example, if you’re applying for a leadership position, they might want to know about the time you led a team to achieve a goal. The more you discuss with your references, the more comfortable they will be answering questions about you.
Thank Your References After Each Job Application
You might forget, but your references took the time to speak on your behalf to a potential employer. So, it’s good practice to thank them after each job application. Sending a thoughtful email to them after a job interview is a great way to do this. You can also explain how the application process went and, most importantly, how much you appreciate their help.
If you land a job after a lengthy job search, it’s also essential to continue communicating with your references. Give them an update on your new job, what you’ll be doing, and what you’re excited about. It’s beneficial to stay in touch with your references long after you get a job
Communication with references throughout your job search journey is crucial to make them feel invested in your process. It shows that you appreciate their help and that their opinion matters to you. Setting up clear expectations, notifying them after each interview, and thanking them after every job application are easy ways to show how much you value their support.
Explaining to references that you didn’t get the job
After going through a grueling job application process, you finally receive the news that you weren’t selected for the job. It can be discouraging, especially if you had high hopes of landing the position. The immediate reaction is to probably sulk and think about the reasons why you didn’t get the job. However, it’s essential to remember that the process is not over yet- you need to follow up with your references.
Although it may feel awkward to inform your references that you didn’t get the position, it’s important to give them the heads up as soon as possible. This will enable them to know that they don’t have to keep their phones nearby, waiting for potential calls from your would-be employer. Also, your references may be called anyway, and they don’t want to give a heads up about your candidacy if they are not sure of your status.
When informing your references about the news, be honest about the situation, while being positive and grateful for their support. Explain to them that you received news that you weren’t selected for the position, but you appreciated their willingness to support you throughout the application process, and being your referees. Consider thanking them for agreeing to be your references, sending them a note or a gift of appreciation which will reflect on your appreciation to them.
It’s also a good idea to clarify that the decision does not lie on your ability or quality of work because the outcome can sometimes affect your confidence level. In some cases, candidates who did not land a position may become frustrated and begin doubting their abilities. However, your references can help remind you of how qualified you are which will equips you with the confidence to continue pursuing the dream job.
Additionally, if you are up for it, consider requesting feedback from the companies’ department that interviewed you. Feedback is an essential tool that can help you know what wasn’t up to their standards when it came to you, your experience, skills, the aptitude test, or your answers during the interview. With feedback, you can focus on improving and working on those areas for future opportunities.
Lastly, it’s important to consider that this could be an excellent opportunity to make amends with anyone in the interviewing panel that you may have missed something, and mark the professional relationship for future reference. Reach out with a follow-up email thanking them for the opportunity to interview and remind them that you appreciate their time during the application process.
Having a good rapport with your referees is also an excellent way to ensure that they continue to support you in the future when you come across other job opportunities or challenges. Remember that recruiters appreciate good communication and informed candidates will be the odds-on favourite for making the shortlist in case of other opportunities. Think relationships, think long-term gain!
Ways to maintain a positive relationship with references after a job rejection
After going through the job application process and the nerve-wracking interview, the waiting game begins. You wait for days, maybe even weeks, to hear back from the employer about whether or not you were selected for the job. Finally, you receive the news, and it’s not what you were hoping for. You didn’t get the job. It can be disheartening, especially if you feel like you were a strong candidate.
But what about your references? You probably provided a list of references to the employer, people who know you and your work well. Now that you didn’t get the job, what do you say to them? Do you tell them that you didn’t get the job? Here are a few ways to maintain a positive relationship with references after a job rejection:
1. Thank them for their support
Regardless of how the job search went, it’s important to show gratitude to your references for their time and support. If they agreed to be a reference for you, they likely went out of their way to provide a recommendation or to vouch for your skills and expertise. A simple email or phone call thanking them for their help goes a long way in maintaining a positive relationship. If you didn’t get the job, tell them that you appreciate their support and that you hope to stay in touch in the future.
2. Give them an update
Your references probably want to know how the job search went. Whether you got the job or not, it’s a good idea to keep them in the loop. If you didn’t get the job, be honest and tell them that you were not selected for the position. It’s okay to tell them that you were disappointed but keep the conversation positive. Let them know that you’re thankful for their support and that you’re going to continue your search for the right job.
3. Ask for feedback
If you didn’t get the job, it’s always a good idea to ask for feedback. Reach out to your references and ask if they have any insight into what you could improve on for future job applications. This shows that you value their opinion and that you’re dedicated to continuous improvement. It’s also a way to keep the conversation going and to maintain a positive relationship.
4. Keep in touch
Just because you didn’t get the job doesn’t mean that the relationship with your references has to end. Keep in touch with them, send them updates on your job search, and even offer to be a reference for them in the future. Maintaining good relationships with your references is important for future job searches and expands your network. Remember to keep the relationship professional, and don’t ask for more than what they are willing to give.
5. Share your successes and failures
It’s not uncommon for job seekers to experience multiple rejections before landing a job. If you didn’t get the job, don’t be afraid to share this experience with your references. Sharing your failures and successes helps to create an even stronger bond and shows that you’re human. It’s also an opportunity to ask for advice and feedback before embarking on future job searches. If you do land a job, share the good news with your references and thank them once again for their support.
Remember, maintaining a positive relationship with your references is crucial, regardless of the outcome of your job application. You never know when you’ll need them in the future, and showing gratitude and appreciation for their support can go a long way.