Why do employers check references? What questions are usually asked?

"It's crucial to find out what type of skill set the applicant has," says Adrian Nickel,
director of communication and marketing for the American Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition, a medical association in Maryland.

Nickel says when she calls for a business reference, she's checking to make sure the candidate is honest and has been through the job selection process.

She's also verifying salary, employment dates and position while trying to get a sense for the applicant's personality and whether he or she will fit into the company's environment.

Do personal references, which most people include on a reference list, actually help
you land a job? "We don't check personal references," says Nickel.

Who are good references? A good reference is someone who has a good knowledge of your day-to-day skills.

While listing a vice president may look good as a reference, just knowing them doesn't necessarily make them the best candidate to address the work that you do. He or she may not be able to say how you effectively managed a project under a tight deadline.

Instead, pull your reference candidates for a pool of co-workers, clients, managers,
or direct reports. Then, comprise a database of references who can speak positively about your work and professional potential, Abbott says.

Don't always use the same references for every job. "Adjust your references to reflect who has the best knowledge about the job you're applying for," says Stuenkel, president of Lawrence & Allen, a career consulting company.

"Sometimes you can tell about a person by what a reference doesn't say," Nickel says.
You want someone to speak about your professional accomplishments positively. A person isn't likely to decline a request to be a reference, so although it may seem obvious, but don't pick someone with whom you've clashed or haven't demonstrated your skills to.

Do I ask someone to be a reference? Yes. Before you submit your references to your
dream employer, make certain you have their permission.

Help prepared them to talk about you and their relationship with you. Abbott suggests
preparing a "reference statement" to clarify for a reference and make it easier on your professional acquaintance.

It doesn't sit well with employers when they call to ask about you and that person has to take few moments to remember and reflect on you and your skills.

When you ask a professional reference whether your can use the person, say which jobs you're applying for and what skills are important to the company. That way, your reference will be able to relate your top skills that pertain to the job to the employer.

"Help them have the answers," Abbott says.

And keep in touch with someone you've asked to be a reference to update them on your
job search progress.

How do I know a reference is saying good things about me? You can't. But if you take some time to coach a reference, your chances are much better.

Remind your reference what you've accomplished professionally. "Seems to me the company is looking for someone who can solve technical difficulties quickly. Remember when we fixed the program bug in 30 minutes?"

If you're not getting job offers after your references are checked, they might not be singing your praises. Stuenkel recommends, in these cases, having a friend do a fake check to find out a reference is saying. "I'm getting a feel for the candidate and I can tell strengths by how much a reference says," Nickel says. You want to make sure your
references are up-to-date on your accomplishments. Keep them informed.

How many references should I have? Experts recommend giving three to five references.

Because you never know for sure what's being said, it's a tricky to submit several.

"The more references you have, the more you risk someone saying something unflattering," Stuenkel says.

When you provide your references, make sure you give the full name, the person's job title, how they relate to you and a phone number for contact.

Be clear on whom your references are; you don't want an employer scrambling to figure out how to contact your reference or how you know that person.

Nickel says she only checks professional references -- not personal ones. So giving the name of your closest friend doesn't improve your chances of getting the job.

When should I give an employer my references? Don't give your references out until you're asked, Abbott says.

Nickel says her organization doesn't ask for references until she's decided who the best applicant is. Then, she will call about that person.

When you do give the names and contacts of your references, make sure you have a feel for the job, so you can appropriately pick your professional cheerleaders.

After all, you want to be cast in the best light always. And a reference can provide just the support and boost to make the employer extend that job offer.