Always Include References With Your Resume

Every once in a while I like to share a bit of "Old Polish Wisdom" from one of my former professors, Central Michigan University journalism faculty member Jim Wojcik.

In his public relations seminar class last semester, Wojcik once told us to always include references with a resume when applying for a position.

The reasoning behind his advice is clear. If you've already included your list of references, it is one less step the employer has to take. You want to make it easy for the interviewer to find out everything they need to know about you. If you say you have references "available upon request," it requires the employer to put in additional time and effort that may negatively impact your chances of success. Given the competitive nature of the current job market, some employers will toss your resume aside over the littlest of details. Avoid this situation by always including a list of professional references with your resume.

One exception I can think of is if your resume is openly accessible online. In this case, you don't want to give out too much personal information (whether it is your own or someone else's). Be careful with posting references online to avoid compromising personal information.

Also, always exercise caution when sending out your resume and references to employers. Be sure the company is legitimate and keep in mind that you are granting them access to personal and sometimes confidential information.

How One PR Grad Went From College Town to Chi-Town

As I quickly realize how fast senior year really does fly by, I find myself thinking more and more about my impending job search. I had the opportunity to speak with a recent PR grad and fellow Central Michigan University Chippewa, Ms. Lacy Quinlan, to get a bit of insight on how she landed her first job at CME Group.

Can you tell me a little about your job search? When did you start? What steps did you take?

I started searching for jobs casually during my first semester of senior year. I just wanted to get an idea of what was out there. I started searching more seriously in the middle of my second semester and through the summer.

I started by becoming more active in different social networks to connect with alumni and businesses I was interested in. LinkedIn and Twitter (especially) were good for this. I found a lot of jobs were posted on these sites. I also regularly checked sites like CraigsList (make sure the positions are legitimate!) and Indeed.

Is there anything that would have made your job search a little easier?

I really didn’t know where to start. Do I look in newspapers? Do I make cold calls? Do I stick to the Internet? I tried to do all these things, but it was really intimidating. It helped to dig around for alumni contact information to ask for advice.

What kinds of thoughts were running through your head when you were offered a position?

“THANK GOD!”...“My mom is going to be so happy!”...“Wow. I have one week to move to Chicago!”...“I hope I know what I’m doing.”...“Yay public relations!”...“I’m a grown up.” I was pretty nervous about moving and changing my world so quickly, but I was thrilled that my hard work paid off.

What has the transition from college student to professional been like?

Strange, but mostly good. I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that I will be working without Christmas/spring/summer breaks, and it’s weird living in a new city with no friends or family close by. It’s also been very challenging to get a handle on the language and concepts used in my industry. It has taken a lot of reading and research to even begin to understand the complexities. However, I like waking up each day having a purpose and learning more about the public relations field. It’s exciting to put everything I’ve learned into practice. I go to bed earlier now, too.

What do you miss most about being a college student?

I definitely miss having my family, friends and boyfriend at an arm’s reach. But now at the end of the day, I can do whatever I want! There’s no homework to hold me back.

What is the best part of your new job?

I love the opportunities I have to learn, not only about PR, but also about my industry. My world gets bigger on a daily basis, and I am constantly learning how to improve myself as a PR professional.

Any advice for soon-to-be graduates?

Don’t freak out too much. It’s okay if you have a little time after graduation without a job. Enjoy it! Go to a lot of concerts, hit the beach and unwind from 4+ years of hard work.

Be aggressive when you are job hunting; there are opportunities everywhere. Utilize all your networks (online and off); people will be happy to help.

Don’t be afraid to call companies that aren’t posting jobs. Ask if someone would be willing to look at your resume and offer tips.

Any other comments or advice?

I really used to think a lot of social networking Web sites were silly. Particularly Twitter (I was a hater). But, they have proven to be very useful for job hunting and my current work. My position was advertised exclusively on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Have fun! Move to Chicago!

Lacy Quinlan graduated from Central Michigan University in May 2009. She majored in Integrative Public Relations with a minor in Media Design, Production and Technology. At CMU, Lacy was an active member of PRSSA and PR Central, and also worked as an advertising manager at Central Michigan Life. She now lives in Chicago and works as the corporate communications specialist at CME Group, the world’s largest and most diverse derivatives exchange. You can connect with Lacy on Twitter at @LacyQ

and on LinkedIn here.