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Using Your On-line Profile to Record Powerful References for your Career
By Patrick Robbins
Hiring managers have grown more accustomed to performing more thorough background
checks and gathering references for all serious job candidates. Without appropriate
references, an application-no matter how impressive it may seem-is likely to end
up in the circular file.
When using an online profile or online resume for a job search, one of the many
powerful features that are unavailable with traditional paper resumes is the ability
to link with the web sites and emails of references. This makes powerful references
even more powerful, since it provides an easy way to illustrate each individual's
actual activities and connections. Alternatively, the job seeker may link the name
of each reference to a separate page within the online resume, which describes the
reference's credentials in detail. Along with the description of the reference,
the linked page may include actual quotes from the reference. The flow would follow
like this:
Online Profile or Resume
> References (short list of names and affiliations and e-mail link)
> Individual pages for each reference (information on each reference, links to
their URLs, plus quotes from that reference in support of the candidate)
When employing online profiles in a professional career networking site, such as
SalesBook.com, there are even more advantages. The nature of networking gives the
job candidate the ability to reach out to a much broader audience, and re-establish
connections that may have been forgotten. This helps in two areas: First, it may
forge connections that may lead to a job interview; second, it may lead to the candidate
being able to find additional prospects from former places of business or colleges/universities
that would be willing to provide references.
Online profiles with references are much more effective than the paper resume, which
often does not list references at all, or if it does, merely lists the names and
contact information as there is little room for much else. The multimedia element
of the online profile eliminates this restriction, giving the job candidate the
ability to provide much more in-depth information about each reference.
For those in the sales profession, there is another advantage as well. Since Salesbook.com
functions as an interactive online center for all sales activities throughout the
member's entire career, the member also has a record of previous satisfied customers,
who would also have an opportunity to provide feedback and positive accolades within
the profile. And for someone in the sales profession looking for a new career, there
is no better reference than a lot of happy clients.
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