markewicken in Hiring ProcessTips and Advice

Your references are important

References can make a big difference in the hiring process.

Often we just treat references as a necessary part of the hiring process. Many do not think of them important. Wrong! Employers use references to probe behaviours of potential hires. With references they can ask questions that will reveal important work habits that may not be evident in the formal interview process. This is especially true for recent grads and first time job seekers.

Here are some points to remember.

Only provide references when asked. It is not necessary to send references with every resume you send out.
Choose your references carefully and formally ask them to be your reference
Always let your references know who you have provided their name to, advising they may be getting a call from (name or name of company).
After you are hired, always formally thank your references for their help and support.

Treat references with respect, they could tip the hiring decision in your favour.

Next Read: “Time Management”, a skill not just a behaviour »

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.