Reference or Recommendation?
10 July 2015
Read by 4371 persons
Even if you are an outgoing person, who listens to others, asking an acquaintance for information about job openings to advance your job search can simply be beyond your capabilities. You would feel like you are begging for help because you are in a difficult situation, and it would be admitting that you are looking for a job if you already have one. In any case, asking a member of your personal network for help in your search is complicated, because you are afraid of being a nuisance, or even giving a less "perfect" image of yourself than desired. So today, here's how to rediscover the joy of "networking calls", and preserve your "self-esteem".
The solution is in one line: "Don't ask for a job, ask for a recommendation or a reference". Asking for a recommendation or a reference from a personal or professional contact is THE simple solution to make your request an enriching experience for both parties. Indeed, no one likes to say "no" to a request from someone they know. And when you call a contact to ask if they have heard of job openings in their circle that might suit you, you put them in the situation of having to say "no" to you, because going fishing for information, or even inquiring with the Human Resources department will take time (this is why we created ReKrute.com 5 years ago and ExeKutive.biz recently). Time that they may not necessarily have to help you…
Consequently, asking for information about job openings will put both of you in an uncomfortable situation: you, because what you are asking them is complicated; and them, because they won't know how to say "no" to you, they will say yes but inwardly convinced that they won't be able to do what you expect of them. To allow them to say "yes", you must ask for something that is easy to say "yes" to. So, when you call a contact, a former colleague, a professional or personal contact, ask them if you can use them as a reference, or if they can write you a recommendation. This information can be simply recorded in your LinkedIn or Viadeo profile, and of course in your ExeKutive profile. It costs nothing to say "yes" to such a request, it gives them the feeling of being useful to you and you will both be much more comfortable.
And since you have transformed this "negative" situation into something "positive", it will allow for other equally positive future interactions. Especially since asking them to be a reference for you can be perceived as an honor: after all, you must have a high opinion of them and their reputation to ask them this! And then, when they are in their daily professional activity, they will not filter your calls to avoid finding themselves in the situation of saying "no" to you or having to explain why they have not yet come back to you with the requested elements.
On the contrary, they will be more inclined to keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities that may interest you, and to inform you immediately. In short, you will have understood the reason for this adage: "Don't ask for a job, ask for a recommendation or a reference".
And start now, build your "professional file" even if you are not looking for a job. Even this type of request is difficult for some, and it's easier when our future doesn't depend on it!!
Philippe Montant CEO ExeKutive.biz
The solution is in one line: "Don't ask for a job, ask for a recommendation or a reference". Asking for a recommendation or a reference from a personal or professional contact is THE simple solution to make your request an enriching experience for both parties. Indeed, no one likes to say "no" to a request from someone they know. And when you call a contact to ask if they have heard of job openings in their circle that might suit you, you put them in the situation of having to say "no" to you, because going fishing for information, or even inquiring with the Human Resources department will take time (this is why we created ReKrute.com 5 years ago and ExeKutive.biz recently). Time that they may not necessarily have to help you…
Consequently, asking for information about job openings will put both of you in an uncomfortable situation: you, because what you are asking them is complicated; and them, because they won't know how to say "no" to you, they will say yes but inwardly convinced that they won't be able to do what you expect of them. To allow them to say "yes", you must ask for something that is easy to say "yes" to. So, when you call a contact, a former colleague, a professional or personal contact, ask them if you can use them as a reference, or if they can write you a recommendation. This information can be simply recorded in your LinkedIn or Viadeo profile, and of course in your ExeKutive profile. It costs nothing to say "yes" to such a request, it gives them the feeling of being useful to you and you will both be much more comfortable.
And since you have transformed this "negative" situation into something "positive", it will allow for other equally positive future interactions. Especially since asking them to be a reference for you can be perceived as an honor: after all, you must have a high opinion of them and their reputation to ask them this! And then, when they are in their daily professional activity, they will not filter your calls to avoid finding themselves in the situation of saying "no" to you or having to explain why they have not yet come back to you with the requested elements.
On the contrary, they will be more inclined to keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities that may interest you, and to inform you immediately. In short, you will have understood the reason for this adage: "Don't ask for a job, ask for a recommendation or a reference".
And start now, build your "professional file" even if you are not looking for a job. Even this type of request is difficult for some, and it's easier when our future doesn't depend on it!!
Philippe Montant CEO ExeKutive.biz
