Job seekers make many false assumptions about their professional references: They think they can simply leave bad references off their resumes and that their references don't matter to an employer ...

Your job search process has begun. You’ve got your resume stacked with accounts of your accomplishments, your online profile is superb, and you’ve practiced your ‘elevator speech’ one hundred times.

Have you ever wondered what your professional references say about you when prospective employers call them? Perhaps you suspect that one or more of your references isn’t providing the glowing review ...

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR ...

Find sources that can vouch for your skills and work ethic Give details about the position Note what skills and experience you would like highlighted Always ask permission before name-dropping “You ...

Though a solid resume and strong interview might help bring you closer to landing a job, the company you're talking with might choose to check up on you independently before extending an offer. Now if ...

Reference checks should be initiated for all final candidates prior to recommending a candidate for the position. Obtain several professional references for each candidate under serious consideration.

You may be surprised to learn how often professional references speak ill of the job seekers they purport to represent. Have you ever wondered what your professional references say about you when ...