I’ve got a wonderful lead for a position in a small company. I have a friend who works there and I know she’ll give me a glowing recommendation so I want to name drop, but all the ‘How to find a job’ books I have say just to put “References available upon request.”
This job just opened up and although my academics are good, my experience is light, her name could really help. I’m new to the cooperate world though and don’t want to come off as hokey. What should I do?
I’m certainly no expert on resumes, but it’s my understanding that “references available on request” is so that you can warn your references that they may be about to get a call from company X and to let them know a little bit about what they may be asked.
I think your case is special since you have a contact inside the company. If you still want to stick with “references available on request”, then mention your contact in the covering letter you are sending with your resume.
I say put 'em on. I can see leaving references off if they’re people from your current job and you don’t want them to know you’re job hunting. Otherwise, it’s never made sense to me.
The management course at the college where I work says to list references (after checking with them first, of course).
Maybe Harriett the Spry or one of the other HR Dopers will pop in. I’d like to know the benefit of leaving references off a resume. I can’t see any. Why make an employer go to the trouble of asking for them?
Theres some debate also about whether or not to include your GPA. Mine is 3.33, should I bother to mention it at all?
My background is in mathematics, the job I’m applying for is in Samples Recieving, is there a particular resume format I should use?
Include an extra sheet (after the resume) with contact information for your references.
I’ve always been loathe to paper the countryside with my reference’s contact information. Once interest is expressed, then sure, but half these ads, I dunno who’s getting the resume.
Sitnam, perhaps your friend could hand-deliver your resume? Escpecially in a small company, just a “Have I got someone for us!” might do.
Name drop in your cover letter.
"[Your friend] mentioned blah blah blah . . . " That way, HR can follow up with your friend to find out more about you. You can also ask your friend to submit your application through any referral channels the company has.
You’ve answered my question. I wouldn’t list references either, if I was sending out a lot of resumes.
Is the company so small that it doesn’t have an employee refererral program? I’ve been in companies smaller than 50 people where a current employee can get a reward for recommending someone who gets hired on (and lasts more than 6 months, say). At my current, largish company, a good friend got $2000 for putting my name into the system.
Has your friend checked with the hiring folks at the company to see if they have such a program?
Yes, she mentioned she gets a bonus if they hire me.
I’d do it in the cover letter, which should be completely tailored to this position anyway. “I am writing at the suggestion of Friend’s Name, who …”
IANinHR, but if you make sure that she is the one to pass along your resume then I think you’re set. Mention in your cover letter that you heard of the position from Jame Smith who speaks highly of the company, but I wouldn’t include references on first contact unless that is standard for your industry. If it’s a small place that has such a program in place, then most likely (a) they will give your resume full consideration and (b) when you interview, everyone will already know that you are Jane’s friend.
Most likely they will ask in the interview why you want to work there, and you can truthfully refer to positive things that Jane has said. Try to find overlap with your goals and the position you are applying for. For example “I’m interested in a small company where I can wear a lot of different hats, and Jane felt that it would be a great match”.
Good luck! It sounds like you’re in a good spot here.