No references equals no job?

Jesusita Dykhoff: References are increasingly important. They have always been important in professional jobs, but more and more employers in all sectors are using them. You do have references if you have professors who can talk about what's important to an employer. Typically they are things like your worth ethic, ability to work as a team, complete projects and tasks on time and the like.Other possible references are people who have manged or supervised you in volunteer activities, clergy, people who trust you to do work for them personally (think babysitting, housecleaning, lawn mowing, etc).You need to manage your references by letting them know that you are using them, adn making sure it's okay to do so - and thank them. When you apply for a job, send them a quick e-mail letting them know where you applied so they know they might receive a call. And if you get an interview that tells you they are going to call your references: get the name of the person who will! be calling them. And send your references the name of the person who will be calling. That way when the call comes they will know to answer it and be ready....Show more

Hilma Pestano: Some employers actually do make calls. I've received one. And background investigators have asked me about a neighbor one time. So did a collection agency about another neighbor.Now I won't say that no references = no job. But everyone has a reference or two. I would ask my choice of references for permission to include them. Most will accept.