CV Writing Tips: How A Referee On Your CV Can Make You Not Get A Job

By Tabitha Makumi,
Kindly indicate three referees who we can contact on your behalf….that is a common instruction on most job adverts in Kenya and our question to you is this, who have you included as your referee in your CV and are they helping or ruining your chances of getting a job?
The major mistake that most job seekers make when it comes to listing their referees is listing people who they tend to ‘know’ to know closely but listed them in their résumé by the virtue of their positions and affluence believing this will catch the attention of their interviewers and employers.
Unknown to them, a recruiter gets in touch with these referees to know their connections with the job applicant and alas!
Check this real life scenario:
At the beginning of this year, Martha resigned with only one week notice from her Sales Job with a FMCG company in Nairobi and almost immediately stated job hunting. At the time of resignation, her former boss was okay with her leaving so Martha decided to name him as one of her referee.
As it turned out, her old boss wasn’t saying nice things when contacted by potential employers. Martha came to know of this when she decided to follow up on an interview and the HR Officer decided to tell her that her former boss had made some not so good comments about her work ethics.
As a job seeker tou ought to know that the outcome of a reference check can make or break your chances of securing your dream job.
So how can you maximise your chances of referee success?
1. Brief your referee on the position you are applying for, including the qualities and characteristics you feel are essential for the role.

Your referee can sabotage your job search

It’s also a good idea to forward an updated copy of your CV to remind your referee of your accomplishments that may be of interest to a potential employer.
2. Ensure your referee is someone you have spoken to recently and with whom you have maintained a good relationship. Including references from your most recent employment can help highlight contemporary experiences in a concise manner.
3. A referee will need to demonstrate your strengths and experiences by providing examples of how you have applied your skills within the workplace. Will your referee be able to articulate this?
4.Let your referees know in advance that they may be contacted to allow them ample time to prepare. Apart from being the polite approach, this is also a great way to make sure contact details are correct and to discuss the role you’re applying for.
Don’t presume a referee will effortlessly be able provide a captivating reference, especially if they’re caught unprepared.
5. Write a thank you note to each of your referees, letting them know the outcome of your job search. This can not only help expand your network, but can increase your job referrals, too.