Are you currently looking for a job? If so, you probably are gathering together all of your tools: a well-written resume, “hot” leads and a list of references. Be careful. It's those references that might slow down your job-getting success.
A poor reference can come in a variety of forms. It might be a disgruntled prior supervisor. It might be a lackadaisical Human Resources officer. Or, it could be a good friend. The latter is the worst.
A good friend who gives a poor reference usually doesn't do it on purpose. According to career sites like Hot Jobs, it happens for a variety of reasons. Here is the top three.
Your good friend can't articulate well. We all have a good friend who is fun to hangout with at a bar, but in the professional arena the same person is a drawback. A New York accent or a scattered way of speaking might turn people who don't love him or her off. As a result, this friend is not who you want to pick for a job reference. Instead, let your friend cheerlead your efforts. It'll still help you in your job seeking efforts.
Your good friend has a poor reputation. This point applies to all of you who want to enter a particular career field or are already in a particular career field. Don't use a good friend who's also in the field as a reference If this good friend is notorious for poor habits or an “embarrassing” incident. Your association with this person will taint your image and help you lose all chances of getting that job.
Your good friend lacks emotion. The level of emotion or lack of it will influence a potential employer to higher or not higher you. After all, if a good friend isn't excited about you, why should a potential employer be? As a result, stray away from asking a good friend with monotone or stoic voices to give references for you. No potential employer will buy his or her words. So, it will hurt your chances of obtaining that job.
In conclusion, job hunting is a difficult chore. Yet, it's often muddied up with a poor reference. So choose yours wisely. It could break or make your ability to work for an employer.
