While searching for your next anesthesia job, you may wonder how and when is the best way to present your references. Should you add them to your application or should you insert them in your CV?
The answer is, you don’t.
Your CV has limited valuable space when trying to keep it to one page (two is acceptable depending on the circumstances), so you want to use it wisely. Listing your references is not a priority at this point of the anesthesia job search and CV space is better spent on promoting yourself in a snapshot. Not who you know.
Recruiters don’t have time to track down references on every CV that comes across their desk or interview they lined up. So should you add references available upon request on your CV?
Once again, you don’t.
Every anesthesia recruiter expects you to present references if requested. Why waste a line on your CV to say something that is part of the natural anesthesia hiring process. It would be like you adding to your CV “I will answer interview questions upon request”!
When Do You Need References?
Employers will generally check your references right before making you an offer. “I don’t like checking references before that initial interview. Anesthesia providers often interview at multiple places,” says Michael Walters, anesthesia recruiter for Vituity. “I always want to respect their references’ time and I don’t want to waste it if we’re not prepared to make an offer.”
It’s key to have your references lined up before you start the job application process. You don’t want to have your offer held up because they’re waiting for you to ask people to be a reference or collecting their contact information.
Who Should You Ask to Be a Reference?
Most anesthesia groups will ask for three references and sometimes they will ask for specific types of people that you have worked with or trained you. Residents and students should expect to use their Program Director and/or faculty members along with an attending or preceptor. Currently practicing? Ask former colleagues or even current ones, but depending on your situation you also might want to ask them to keep it quiet if you haven’t made it known you are looking to leave.
A crucial aspect when picking your reference is their reliability. Make sure to choose someone who will not only give you a great recommendation but will also respond promptly when contacted by the anesthesia recruiter. You don’t want to have to go find another reference because one of your original selections is not getting back to the recruiters.
Talking with anesthesia recruiters this happens quite often. Also, let your reference know they might be contacted twice. Once, from the recruiter and a second time from the facility’s credentialing coordinator. So choose wisely and maybe have a back up in mind.
Present Your References the Right Way
Once you know who your references will be, it’s time to create a well-formatted reference sheet. You want to have it ready to submit as soon as they ask for it. Not only does this help speed up the hiring process, but it makes you look well-organized and it’s just another reason they are making the right decision to hire you.
What to include:
-Reference Name
-Current Job and Position
-Company
-Phone Number
-Email Address
When it’s time to submit your references, it can be done as either a Word document or PDF attached to an email.
Last thing to keep in mind during this whole process is to make sure to thank your references for their time and helping you with securing this job. You literally couldn’t do it without them!
