What is a business context?

Personal vs. Professional Context

Personal references are individuals who know the applicant outside of work, such as friends, family members, teammates, neighbors or acquaintances the applicant has met in social settings or community organizations. These individuals can attest to their skills and overall character. For example, an applicant's volleyball teammate may highlight their leadership skills and   ability to boost team morale .

On the other hand, professional references are people who have worked with the applicant and can talk about their professional goals, habits,  work behavior  , and notable contributions to the company. For example, a direct supervisor can discuss the applicant's analytical skills and receptiveness to feedback.

Professional reference letter vs. listing references on a resume

A professional reference letter, also known as a recommendation letter, is a brief letter to a potential employer that highlights the applicant's hard and soft skills, character traits, and professional accomplishments. This letter should explain why the applicant would be an asset to the potential employer's business.

 In the case of  listing references on a resume , job seekers should only do so if specifically requested to do so in the job application. In this case, applicants should provide the following information for each professional reference:

• Name
• Current Job Title
• Current Employer
• Phone Number
• email address
• relationship

Then, depending on the preferences of the potential employer, professional references may be asked to fill out forms, write letters, or answer phone calls to discuss the applicant's qualifications.

Who can serve as a professional reference?

A job  reference  can be anyone with whom the applicant has worked directly in paid or unpaid positions, such as:

• Observers
• colleague
• Customers
• Teacher
• Mentors

The importance of professional references on a resume

Reaching out to professional references helps hiring managers better understand the applicant's personality and how they will approach the new position based on their past work experiences. Hiring managers want confirmation that the applicant is qualified for the role and that their professional reputation   is consistent with the information they shared during the interview process.

If applicants provide multiple professional references, this can help hiring managers notice certain patterns. For example, several people may attest that working with the applicant was enjoyable because of their collaboration skills.

Also, multiple references can provide different perspectives, which helps hiring managers evaluate the applicant holistically. For example, a direct manager might discuss how the applicant effectively overcame obstacles to meet project deadlines and company revenue goals, while a colleague might share how the applicant helped themSmooth onboarding experience  .

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