Professional References

[Caropooh]

What would you consider a professional reference? I have a job interview Friday for a Call Center position with REI and I need to provide 2 professional references with name, phone number and title. I have a friend who is an IT manager with Safeco insurance. Even though I don't work with her, can I use her? Or does it have to be someone I have worked with? What about my DD6's Kindergarden teacher from last year? I helped out in her classroom for about 3 hours a week all school year. My DH says it is someone you have worked with professionally. What is your take on it?

 

[disneynutt1225]

I usually put people I've worked with as professional references. Personal references would encompass everyone else you've mentioned, if it were me.

 

[Mary Anne]

I work in HR, if I am checking the references of a possible hire and ask for professional references they must be someone the applicant had worked in a business setting with or better yet reported directly to.

 

[Tracey1974]

I am a recruiter and when we ask for professional references, it is a previous manager or supervisor where you have worked before. Usually we ask for 3 and check 2. Anyone who knows you as an acquaintance is considered a character reference. Hope that helps!

Good luck with the position!

 

[grlpwrd]

Yes, I think professional reference pertains to work experience references. I think a professional reference is someone you work for or work with.

on your interview! I have been a member of REI for years since I used to live in Kirkland. Hope you get the job!

 

[mannasn]

Or if you're in school or a recent graduate, I believe a professional reference can be an instructor/teacher. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one?

 

[golfgal]

Yes, it should be someone you worked with/for. If you have been a SAHM and don't have any current professional references maybe you could give someone that your did work with on a committee for example. I head a major fund raiser at the kids' school and I might put the principal down as a 'professional' reference as an example.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Or if you're in school or a recent graduate, I believe a professional reference can be an instructor/teacher. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one?

I would like to know if this is correct? I am a recent college graduate and I was unaware that I should be listing former professors, etc for professional references. If that is the case, I need to find some new references!

 

[Mary Anne]

Well I think you need to be honest regarding references and who they are. We realize that newly graduated college graduates are not going to have the same type of professional references as someone who has been in the work force for a number of years. I would have available a number of professors but clearly let them know they are professors, if you've worked anywhere for summers or after school you can certainly list them but again tell your potential company exactly where you work for them and in what manner. I'd rather have someone tell me, it was their Manager at McDonalds then lie and give a Director in a company that they never worked for.

Lies will always come out. If you give the name of a friend and say you worked for him, what happens if when checking they start with HR and ask if "A" worked for the company from x to x time. The first thing HR is going to say is "We have no record of that employee"

Most companies are doing background checks today. Don't lie about your education, felonies, or where your worked. That is the first thing they check.

To the original poster, if you truly don't have a professional reference come out and tell them that. Then offer your personal references. Also make sure you tell the people you are giving as a reference that someone may be calling them and be sure they will be available to give feedback on you.

Good luck!

 

[barkley]

yup-professional are those you've worked with in a paid capacity (best if someone you worked under the supervision or managment of). if a recent college grad with no paid experience in the field you've worked in list someone you have worked with professionaly in another field (but note that it is not in the field you are seeking employment in), and even if they don't ask for personal references you can add some professors names and indicate they can comment on your skills/aptitude/habits from an educational standpoint.


i agree-never lie about even the most minute on an application it WILL come back to haunt you. had a co-worker who promoted to a HIGH paying position within civil service. his qualifications for the position came into question a couple years after appointment-hr did a sweep and verification of every application he had made for every position he had ever held with the agency (a former co-worker heard of the promotion and knew the guy did not have the education nor the time to have secured the nesc. education to qualify for the job-tipped off hr). he was lucky not to get terminated-but he did get demoted around 5 levels to another job (they decided that although the time he spent working in some positions would qualify him to work currently in them, because he had falsified his experience to work in them in the first place he had to go back to the last position he was pre-qualified to hold and re-apply for the subsequent positions as they became available).

 

[Caropooh]

OK, this is OP again! I changed my original post to read I helped in DD7's classroom for 3 hours a week the whole school year.
I'm still trying to figure out who I can use as a professional reference. I could use one of my managers at Barnes and Noble, where I work now. I'm planning on staying with them even if I get the REI job. I only work very part time at B&N. I work at the Post Office prior to that for 2 months but left due to being told I was not going to pass probation.(mail carrier) Previous to that I worked for United Airlines for 2 years in their call center here in Seattle. They closed the office, so I don't have a managerial reference there. Boeing before that for 5 years until 9/11 and was in the 1st round of lay offs.
I sound pretty bad considering I'm almost 45 years old and can't come up with 2 proffesional references. Plenty of personal ones, just no proffesional.

 

[Mary Anne]

Ok here is what I would do:

Definately use the United Airlines one. Just find out now where the Human Resource Records are kept and get at a minimum the name of a Human Resources person and a phone number. With a layoff due to 9/11 there is not one decent human being/company that would hold that against you. If they do, you don't want to work for them.

I would also use the Barnes and Noble, again give the corporate office information so they can verify employment and the name of your contact to give a personal reference. Just let your person know you are using them as a reference and be sure they are OK with it.

Lastly as a back up I'd use the teacher but be sure to find out ahead of time if she has a problem with it. Again, just be honest with the potential employer. I'm sure they will work with you.

 

[Caropooh]

Thanks for the help!
I think I will be going with United Airlines and Barnes and Noble. I will use the teacher as a back up.
I'm excited about this. They said the interview will be 1 hour. 30 minutes of interview and then a 30 minute assessment. My DH has worked for REI for 21 years, so I know they are a good company to work for. I would even be working in the same building as him!