r|thoughts on hrw! ...

thoughts on j's hrw!'s
"networking abuse results in failed background check" ...

GIVE IT A READ, WHY DON'T CHA?! ... the closing statements include:

"The results of this failure to conduct research were that the investigator’s time was wasted, my time was wasted, the acquaintance’s application was delayed, and my impression of the friend is that she carelessly offers names just for the sake of offering them. She saved her own time by failing to do research and giving the reference a head’s up at the cost of everyone else’s time. That was inconsiderate and poor networking."

... AND YOUR THOUGHTS?

MY THOUGHTS? generally, the HRW!'s message is a perspective of time spent/wasted for requesting/providing a character reference. a job candidate had to provide to a prospective employer character references. the person named to provide a reference was neither notified nor qualified (from her perspective).

in short, i think - - - moving the experience forward - - - the message also can be stated as ...

check-in before hand

BE PREPARED ... references for a work position (e.g., full-time, part-time, internship, volunteer, etc.) are important and should be valued. being prepared for all phases of securing work experience is important. these phases may simply be described as ...

• before, e.g., job search, screening, qualifications
  
• during, e.g., job interview
• after, e.g., follow-up, references, salary/benefits negotiations
  

just as time and care are spent completing an application, interviewing with an organization, researching the organization's corporate philosophy and social responsibility (!), and dressing up for interview, the efforts **after** the interview also contribute to evaluating a prospective employee's fit.

at a minimum, remember THREE (3 - trois - tres - san - ...), have at least 3 professional and 3 personal references. you may be asked to complete a form to fill-in the names/contact info of references. a few common ways to categorize references:

• PERSONAL REFERENCES
  
• PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES - generally former managers/supervisors, peers, team members, etc.
  
• ORGANIZATION REFERENCES - i've seen a person provide references of colleauges in his/her volunteer groups, absent 'formal' work experience.
  

in all cases, keep the contact information up-to-date.

IT'S A GOOD THING to be considered a reference ... as well as quite a responsibility. those asking a person to be a reference, respectfully check-in. those giving a reference, respectfully respond.