Ep. 060: How to Manage the New World of Reference Checking, with Ray Bixler
In the past, hiring managers using a telephone to solicit feedback from job references yielded a low, 50% return rate. Today, online reference tools and surveys boast a reference return rate of 85-90%! For job seekers, this makes furnishing quality referrals to potential employers a necessity.
“Feedback is accumulated by various ways,” says guest expert, Ray Bixler. Metrics evaluated by employers include the number of references a job seeker offers, how long it takes an applicant to enter the reference names and what feedback the references supply. Job seekers can improve their results by being prepared with complete information about their references and entering the information as soon as the prospective employer sends the email.
Tips for Job Seekers:
Remember, a prepared reference has time to think about all the great things you have done!
Ray Bixler Bio
Ray Bixler is CEO of SkillSurvey, an online reference checking technology firm that helps organizations recruit, hire, and retain talent. Ray has more than 20 years of human resource and career development experience. Ray’s organization has just launched the new solution, Source. Source gives references an opportunity to become applicants with the employer requesting their input.
Ben’s Job Search Resources:
Ben’s resource this week is a blog post from Main St entitled "5 Job Reference Myths That Can Destroy Your Chances and Reputation." The content includes common occurrences job seekers frequently overlook. Be sure to listen to Mac’s List bonus episode about ”How to Deal with a Bad Reference,” with Vicki Lind.
Jenna’s Find Your Dream Job Listener Question:
Ben, Jenna and Mac respond to Paul Frazier’s question, “How to negotiate salary, benefits and time off when you fear an employer may rescind the job offer.”
If you would like the team to answer a job-related question, email it to jenna@macslist.org, or call her at 716-JOB-TALK. If we use your question on the air, you will receive a copy of our new book, Land Your Dream Job Anywhere (to be published February 1, 2017). Or, if you’ve found a job resource you think everyone should know about, send it to ben@macslist.org, and tell him how it has helped you find your dream job.
Ben and Jenna’s segments are sponsored by the 2016 edition of Hack the Hidden Job Market Course. The course is now live, so register today!
If you like this show, please help us by rating and reviewing our podcast on iTunes. We appreciate your support!
Opening and closing music for Find Your Dream Job provided by Freddy Trujillo, www.freddytrujillo.com.
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