If you’re searching for a new job, then you know you’re likely going to need to supply some references to a potential employer at some point. But did you also know that some references are better than others? In fact, employers oftentimes will request you to submit at least two former managers as references. Why does it matter? After all, don’t the people you work alongside each day have a better sense of your work ethic, diligence, and abilities?

As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, Murray Resources knows employers generally ask for managers as references for a variety of reasons. For instance:

• It’s up to a manager to evaluate your job performance. As a result, they are going to have a stronger sense of where you’ve been…and where you’re going. They’ll be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and areas where you’ve made significant strides – more so than a co-worker would.
• In addition, a manager is going to have a much better sense of the results you’ve delivered and whether you’re performing to expectation. A co-worker, on the other hand, likely isn’t going to know the specific performance goals that have been set for you. So even though they see you working hard, they won’t know whether you’re doing what you were hired to do.
• You’ve probably had a lot of co-workers over the years, but only a few managers. If you’re only submitting peers as references, you can easily pick and choose only those who you know will offer positive remarks. It’s not so easy do that with managers.

If you submit a list of references to a potential employer, and you don’t include a single manager on it, it’s going to be a red flag to a hiring manager. They’re going to automatically wonder why you don’t want them calling those who have supervised you in the past. However, if you provide a list of references that includes both peers and past managers, then hiring managers won’t think twice.

A final note: Don’t submit people as references that you’re related to or friends with. When a hiring manager asks for references, they are looking for ones from those you’ve worked alongside or under in the past.

Do you need more help finding a new job? Call the experts at Murray Resources. As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from crafting a strong resume to preparing for interviews – all so you can find opportunities that are a great fit for your skills and background.