Have you ever had a job before? Doesn’t matter, someone else will still ask for a personal reference for something else anyway; from getting a bank account to the simplest of chores like applying for a contract to be a domestic janitor. WHY??? For things of life, like the necessity of acquiring a loan, for which the bank demands personal references, employment references and a reference of the reference in reference; what is the point?! Would you ever, at a job interview, when asked for a reference, give the employer the name and phone number of the individual who may have just fired you for some grievous act that would certainly negate any possibility of the new position being secured? Doubt it! I have managed for 15 years and one things is for certain, it is a waste of my time to be calling references because they all say the same thing; this guy is good to do what it is he is application for!
Such a redundancy. Such an action of poverty. Should a reference be listed, absolutely, have it done in writing and post the contact information nearby; that is enough. Should a reference be willing to write and sign a letter, even better but don’t waste our time further by calling an individual who is handling they’re own business to find out what you know you will already hear. Diligence here is the key! A true reference does not know they are about to be reached too, and still once must be hesitant to waste the time of another working professional. Be scripted, to the point and stay on the task of business at hand! Finally, provide some compensation, more than a gracious thanking of the time you just evoked from them; especially to an honest and considerate callee. Send a basket of flowers or something, they just told you the truth and roses always help cover the smell of bullshit if they haven’t.
There is a time and place for a reference, however it shouldn’t be on the behalf of either the sought after contractor, lending organization, political party or indecent clown performer nor the past mentors either! The reference needs to become executed solely by the party in need. Become prepared, become the master of your own destiny; not just the dreamer most are. Start the creation and upkeep of a work exposition for all to see. Document your triumphs with comments, photos and now, personal references! Keep this documentation all together and present it first, saying, “look at me, I am amazing”; because you are incredible, something we both know now to be a truth. Look at my accomplishments, however my accomplishments are lacking one thing, this place, this job, this loan at this, the here and now to continue my growth to excel my own prosperity to allow the opportunity to share it back with its mastery. Be in that moment, with that confidence and that PERSONAL REFERENCE brought forth with all the authority necessary to ferry all parties to the forgone conclusion; we should be together.
Do this. Be the projection. Find the purpose and you will achieve.
But don’t reference a reference in reference of the reference requested to reference your referral.
That is just dumb and irritating.