Sometimes professional references are the last step between you and your dream job. Often, employers check your references as the very last step before offering you the job.
So how much thought have you put into choosing your references?

Until a formal offer is made, the job isn’t yours. But it can be easy to lose your strategic edge when choosing which professional references to list. When it comes to job search advice, choosing the right references is right up there with a strong resume and polished cover letter.
Be sure to choose professional references who demonstrate these traits:

They will take the request seriously. Sometimes former colleagues are also friends – that happens to many of us throughout our careers. But choosing friends isn’t typically a good choice when it comes to your career. Employers who choose to speak with professional references are doing so because they value the insight such references can provide. If you choose someone (or some people) who are unprepared or don’t take the role of professional reference seriously, it can most definitely damage your reputation and result in someone else receiving the job offer. When employers ask you for references, they’re expecting you to choose the people who will position you in the best possible light, and who will be prepared to talk about why you’re a great fit for their organization. If you don’t choose the very best references now, what kind of message does that send employers about the types of choices you’ll make on the job?

They can express themselves well verbally (or possibly in writing). Most professional references are contacted via phone to discuss you and your qualifications, but from time to time employers will reach out via email. To be sure your bases are covered, you should present professional references who are comfortable expressing themselves both verbally and in writing. At this point in the process, your professional references are literally “selling” you, so be certain to choose individuals who are comfortable expressing why you’re the right choice.

They understand your weaknesses (and can position them well). We all have weaknesses. In all likelihood, you discussed yours during the interview process. But your potential new employer isn’t done talking about them – your professional references should be prepared to discuss them as well (and how you can turn them into strengths). If you’re choosing professional references who served as a direct supervisor, colleague or client, they likely have had an opportunity to see you “in action” and can formulate some thoughts on your strengths and weaknesses. But this your career – don’t be afraid to take charge and talk to your references ahead of time about your weaknesses. You don’t want to give the impression you’re telling your references what they should say. But, having a candid conversation where you ask for insight into your strengths and weaknesses can help prepare your references for having that same conversation later with a recruiter.  

 8 years ago

In the race to entrepreneurship, single women aren’t just at the head of the pack -- they’re blazing a trail for everyone behind them. According to U.S. Labor Department data, single women are becoming entrepreneurs at a faster rate than married women and, surprisingly, men in general.

Last year, the number of women-owned businesses exceeded 9.4 million (comprising 30 percent of all businesses in the United States). What’s more, the revenue these companies generate has become an economic force to be reckoned with -- standing at nearly $1.5 trillion, as of 2015.

And with more than 60 percent of women entrepreneurs predicting that their profits will increase in 2016, it makes sense that more and more women, specifically those without spouses, feel compelled to enter the game.

Never before have we seen such a time when women were so present in the business world, and that presence has implications for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

Why single women are taking the lead
There are many different reasons individuals make the jump from the corporate life to entrepreneurship. In some cases, it’s flexibility; in other cases, people desire more fulfillment from their work. Whatever the specifics, it seems that single women, with their unique wants and needs, are finding entrepreneurship to be a natural fit for their lifestyles.

According to a March 2016 study, single women are less influenced by society’s gender roles and are drawn to the idea of being their own boss. The camaraderie that often accompanies a local entrepreneurial community is also a key driver for unmarried women entrepreneurs, among other factors.

I believe this trend will not only continue through 2016, but also increase at a more rapid rate. These women are ambitious and -- whether they’re aware of it or not -- are busting through stereotypes.

Single mothers, for example, looking for a more flexible way to provide for their children may well encourage single dads to explore their options as well. It’s the start of a positive cycle for future women as well as all aspiring entrepreneurs who feel trapped in a specific racial or gender stereotype.

How to make the jump when the odds feel stacked against you
While it’s encouraging to see more women -- single or otherwise -- stepping into the entrepreneurial limelight, many still feel out of place in a (still) male-dominated world. If you find yourself shying away from your potential purely because of archaic stereotypes, the following tips are for you:

1. Don’t let your fears stop you.
Some well-intentioned mentors may tell you to avoid fear or even pretend it’s not there. Instead, recognize your fears for what they are and do your best to move past them. Rational or not, most of our fears are simply overblown worries about things that may never actually happen. Once you can put worst-case scenarios into their proper perspective, fear won’t own you anymore.

Next, take a good look at yourself and what you have to offer. Write down your five greatest strengths, and think about the power of those assets when you can deploy them absent the baggage of fear. Get specific and creative, and identify next steps to move toward your goals.

2. Know enough to know you don’t know enough.
Not even Steve Jobs knew what he was doing when he got started. Your story is no different. Eliminate words such as “stupid” and “unqualified” from your vocabulary, and remember: You’re just getting started.

“When we started Influence & Co., there was a lot that I didn’t know,” said Kelsey Meyer, co-founder of the company. “Instead of allowing my lack of knowledge to hold me back, I used it to my advantage to connect with, and ask for, help from established leaders and others in the industry. People are receptive when you’re humble and willing to learn. Some of our first clients were actually people I reached out to when we started the company.”

Learn as much as you can from everyone around you. You can lead without knowing all of the answers, and you can succeed without being right all the time. Stay humble, hungry and patient for knowledge.

3. Lead through service.
As you take on new challenges and gain respect and prestige, don’t overlook your chance to make a difference in the lives of your followers. There are countless approaches to leading a team, but being altruistic is at the heart of any great leader. Accept responsibility first, eat last and always consider what is best for those around you who have entrusted their livelihood to you.

“Investing in my team is one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do,” explains Kate Finley, the millennial-age CEO of Belle Communications. “As a female business owner, I see it as my privilege and responsibility to equip and inspire other women to dream big and grow their leadership. None of us achieves success alone. We’ve all had other women invest in us to help us get to where we are today. It’s a joy to pay it forward.”

Women are often seen through the lens of gender stereotypes -- this has the potential to limit them if they allow it. But now is the time to change the conversation by demonstrating women’s success in the entrepreneurial world and knocking down barriers for other aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life to find success as well.  

 8 years ago