Career change tips : Listing a co worker as a reference

I am currently employed, but looking for a new job in a different field (restructuring is making every employee's future uncertain, and I've had so much additional work dumped on me without additional compensation, not to mention I want to go back to doing what I enjoy--fundraising at the university level). I've asked a co-worker if I can list him as a reference (he can attest to my professionalism, quality of my work, customer satisfaction, etc.), and he has agreed --in fact, he said he'd be delighted. Just some background: he's very discreet, and is totally sympathetic (he and his wife just had a baby, and they live off his income, so he's reluctant to look for work elsewhere). Is my strategy OK? Should I have left off a reference for this particular job, and wait for my direct supervisor to be contacted (in the event of an offer)? Thanks in advance!

I' d use your co-worker, and have done the same myself. In fact, three of the six people I keep on my regular reference list are people I used to work with in some capacity or another.

If he can attest to the things you mention, it sounds like a good guy to have on your list.

I have replied to this same question in the other thread, but see that you have re-posted it here with additional information, so am replying here as as well as it is a potential new topic.

Current colleagues can be invaluable references.

Like any reference:

They should want and be able to speak positively about you and more importantly, what you' ve done
They need to be knowledgeable about you and your work. 1st hand knowledge.
They should have some kind of professional interaction with you. Boss, subordinates and peers you interact with. Also, someone more senior to you who you don' t report to can be invaluable. If they know your work! A water cooler buddy who. at the most, has sat in on a few meetings with you isn' t a strong reference.
For non-subordinates, their formal title within the organization counts.

In general, the more recent a reference, the more valuable it is to you and the hiring decision makers. Of course, most people aren' t able to offer their current boss as a reference, which from a hiring manager' s perspective, is probably the most important one. So, the current colleague reference can be hugely valuable in providing some intelligence on your performance in your current organization.

A very helpful, professional and strategic way to offer references (yes, who and how you offer as a reference list is an very important part of your job search strategy) is to explain what that particular reference can speak to.

Examples:

We interact on a daily basis, but manage our own teams. She can speak to my ability to manage pressure as well as my effectiveness working across departments.
Bill is a VP outside of my reporting line. However, he can give you an accurate view of the environment at XYZ Corp. And, I was assigned to lead a special project team, which he sponsored, so he has first hand knowledge of my leadership skills as well.

If you set up expectations, then the hiring manager, HR person, or recruiters knows what to what they are getting and what they should focus on when they phone. (And, here is a secret: The very act of willingly offering this kind of information has the effect of dispelling concerns and qualms about you.)

I hope that is helpful. Good luck!

Co-workers are often better references than supervisors because they have observed you much closer than a supervisor would have generally. You have worked with a co-worker whereas most supervisors are known to be caught up in their own little world and have their own work to attend to.

Most (and more every day) companies are using peer input to evaluate an employees work and the supervisor to deliver the evaluation.

Your supervisor is the better person to deliver a reference if it involves strictly overall evaluation points, but your co-worker is honestly the better person to use as a reference.

So, what I have done in the past is that I keep a list of co-workers who have agreed to provide me a reference and during the interview, I made a point of stating that I would prefer my current (at the time) supervisor not be contacted until the very end of the process, but I could provide the interviewer with a list of co-workers who I have been closely involved with and can give a better accounting of my activities and work ethics.

One more thing, regarding how you describe how best to present your references--would I write out this information on a reference list, explain in person, on the application? Thank you.

Type out a nice reference list starting with your primary reference to provide to the interviewer at the end of the interview. Or at the appropriate time when discussing references.

If you fill out an application before the interview, read the application carefully. Many times, you have to fill out all sections regardless of having already submitted a resume or letters of reference. The application is used as comparison to your resume,but it is also used by human resources when contact information is needed or when something untoward happens and information is needed that is generally gleaned from an application. (like proof that you signed an agreement to abide by all policies and procedures or proof that you agreed that falsification of your application is cause for termination)

Attach you reference list to the application before submitting it because often applications only ask for three professional references and your list should contain that many, plus one more professional and three to four personal (non-relative) references. (Ideally, not necessarily)

Yes, have it written it out as a separate document. One that can be handed to someone or emailed. Do not put references on your resume. It really is no different than your professional resume. In fact, copy the header from your resume (Name, contact information) onto the reference form. Use the same font and style. It is an important document in your marketing kit.

Sometimes, you will be asked verbally (i.e. an HR person follows up by phone, says they are interested, and asks for 2 references to call.)

And in situations where there is an application form, follow the instructions on the form, as per the above post.

Career Tips

Listing a co worker as a reference