| Your resume should aim to impress all potential | | | | Make a list of personal or professional contacts that |
| employers. They do not always trust your word for all | | | | you might have for the last 5 to 10 years. This assures |
| those positive attributes you listed. They look for | | | | you that they remember you quite well and will surely |
| someone to back up your listed credentials. And they | | | | have the capacity to give anecdotes about you. They |
| will look this up in your list of character reference in | | | | must know you well enough to write positive things |
| your resume. | | | | about you. If possible, find someone who knows you |
| A resume can be either chronological or functional in | | | | not only on a personal but also on a professional level. |
| nature. You list all your accomplishments, both | | | | Trim your list to people who would be willing to make |
| educational and professional as well as their | | | | the extra mile of making written recommendations and |
| corresponding dates in a chronological resume. They | | | | will not mind if you ask for minor changes if a part of |
| are cited from the most current to the previous ones. | | | | the letter does not paint you well. |
| On the other hand, functional resume presents all your | | | | Give them the Heads Up |
| skills and abilities. For both chronological and functional | | | | Once you have all your possible references, call them |
| resumes, employers can assume that applicants can | | | | up and ask permission if you could list them down in |
| always give references if it was requested from them. | | | | your resume. If they decline, gracefully thank them for |
| Therefore, all applicants should prepare a list of people | | | | their time. If you have their approval, be sure to get the |
| who can verify their character. These people are | | | | best contact number they prefer to be called at. Do |
| important persons whom you have dealt with either on | | | | not forget to tell them what position you have applied |
| a personal or on a professional level in the past. The | | | | for so they will have an idea as to what questions |
| resume intended for scholarship application needs to | | | | employers would typically ask them when these |
| have previous professors, deans, advisers or | | | | employers call. Refresh them with small details as to |
| classmates as references. They are the key persons | | | | how long you two have worked together; which |
| whom sponsors can ask whether you qualify for the | | | | department are you in and events where you both |
| slot or not. They can gauge your maturity, social | | | | worked successfully. It is also acceptable to offer the |
| responsiveness, attitude and academic readiness for | | | | person a list of your achievements for her reference. |
| such higher education. | | | | References need to be updated |
| A resume intended for a job application needs to have | | | | Be sure to update references every once in while. It is |
| previous employers, immediate supervisors or | | | | good to know if your contact holds the same office or |
| colleagues as references. They are the best people | | | | has been promoted. It is also a good practice to get in |
| that can attest to your abilities, skills, professionalism | | | | touch with friends and bosses. This will broaden your |
| and attitude towards work. They will help potential | | | | contacts and referrals. Placing a professional title on |
| employers decide if you are the best person they are | | | | the reference adds credibility to the person. Write all |
| looking for. | | | | possible approved contact information and your |
| Here are some tips in preparing for a character | | | | relation to the person. Make sure that the font and the |
| reference: | | | | size used is readable and clear. |
| Make a list and check it twice | | | | |