Student References

I have had some students request references from me but when I ask what they wish me to highlight about themselves I never hear back. So this is a quick note to help me help you get the job or graduate school that you want.

1. Remember the "Rule of Seven Hits" - It takes seven times for someone to hear a message for them to remember it. So rather than talk about all the reasons someone should hire you it would be better for you to repeatedly hit the best ones over and over. For instance, if trying to land a Marketing job, you should mention in your resume and your interview (and your cover letter) the different types of Marketing Experiences you have already had (including Sales, advertising, standing in front of your school's car wash wearing a sign, etc.), the amount of Marketing Education you have had (both in college and training classes for other companies), and any volunteer work that is Marketing related (like writing Press Releases or Ads for the High School Car Wash). 2. If You Don't Have It - FUDGE IT! - Notice that I did not say to FAKE IT! But if you want a job in Marketing and don't have a degree in Marketing then there is nothing wrong with mentioning your degree in Business instead. You have no idea who is going to apply for the job besides you. When employers write these job descriptions they usually ask for the moon and stars and then offer to pay peanuts. Your goal is to be in the running for the job and see what shakes out. You may think your degree in Business isn't good enough but it sets you above the girl with a degree in Elementary Education who figured out too late that she doesn't like to work with bunches of small children. I have landed a couple of different jobs in life where I didn't get it the first time but for various reasons the person they hired at first didn't work out (committed sexual harrassment, moved away as a result of a hurricane, took the job until a better paying one came along, etc.). 3. CLUE ME IN! - Let me know what you want from me when you request a reference. What facts are you trying to hit seven times? Sure, if you want me to say that you are a "Great Guy" I can do that but is that really a help? If you are trying to get a Marketing job then tell me that so that I can say what a great job you did in my Marketing class. If you are trying to get a Security Clearance then please let me know that so that when the FBI asks about you I can review my material ahead of time rather than say that I don't remember much about you. ALWAYS LET ME KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT YOU ARE LISTING ME AS A REFERENCE. 4. Things I Can and Cannot Do for You - I will not lie for you since I have a reputation to protect for both myself and my other students who need employers and graduate schools to be able to rely on my word. It is best NOT to use me for a reference if you made a D or F in my class and certainly not without contacting me first to see if we can agree on some language that is suitable. Speaking of F's, don't even think about using me for a reference if you committed an Honor Offense in my class. Also, by law I cannot reveal your grades even if you give me permission (just give them a copy of your transcript instead). I can do the Following For You: I can tell someone how many classes and what type of classes you took from me. I can tell someone whether you were an Exceptional, Above Average, or Average student. I can tell someone that your Peer Evaluations show that on your group projects your classmates thought you did your "More Than Your Fair Share" or that they thought you performed a "Fair Share of the Work" (I will probably mention Fair Share as "seemed to work well with his/her group") I can mention any personal observations that I recall about you so please help me remember something that feeds into your Seven Hits focus. 5. I am always available to help my former students - Please call me ahead of time and send me a copy of your resume if you wish me to review it. I wish you all the best of luck!

The long and short of it: A. Decide what you want to emphasize in your job application process. B. Tell me that you want to use me as a reference and ask if I can back up the points you want to emphasize. C. Don't be scared of applying for a job. You might get it now or when it comes open again in the future. D. Don't expect me to lie for you. Don't lie yourself. Lies are ALWAYS exposed. E. Don't hesitate to call on me if you need to. I am always willing to help my former students. F. If you don't get the job, ask someone you met in the hiring process why they chose someone else... maybe they will tell you where your weak points are in your resume or interviewing. G. Don't take it personally. Many times you will be better served by not taking the first job that comes along. Go after the right job for you -- one that leads to a better job in the future.

Updated on 14 DEC 2006

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