references question

[jenn]

when an employer asks for a personal reference, who are they looking for? friends? i know you're not supposed to give relatives...so who?

 

[Ice]

I tend to still give them details of someone in authority, even for a personal reference - usually my University tutor

 

[Stewart]

when an employer asks for a personal reference, who are they looking for? friends? i know you're not supposed to give relatives...so who?

Doctor, dentist, or civil servant.

 

[jenn]

Doctor, dentist, or civil servant.

what in the world could the dentist say about me other than i have impeccable teeth? or any of those people....

 

[novella]

It's a sort of old-fashioned practice, but I think the idea is to get an acquaintence who is respected in the community to vouch for you.

For instance, if you are acquainted with the mayor or a local lawyer or the principal of a school or one of your old teachers, you might ask them. Think of it as a bridge between you and someone the employer would either know or respect.

One of the reasons nepotism is so accepted is that the personal references are all in place, and they kind of guarantee that you won't do anything to embarrass your acquaintence.

 

[jenn]

thanks novella,
it is weird, kind of like stacking the deck. here's my best friend, he is going to give me a glowing reference.
my husband is going through the interview process with a firm out of new york, for a position here in halifax, so it is unlikely that any of the gents there will know any of matt's personal references. neither of us have been asked for a personal reference before so we were unsure of who is the best person to ask. but i am guessing his drinking buddy is not the ideal person.

 

[RainbowGurl]

when an employer asks for a personal reference, who are they looking for? friends? i know you're not supposed to give relatives...so who?

I'm glad you mentioned this...I need to do my reference!