Some types of jobs don’t require references; if it’s a low-risk position, like office admin or customer service, a hiring manager may be willing to trust a resume or take a chance on a newbie. But when you’re pursuing work as a professional caregiver for seniors, someone’s health — perhaps life — is on the line, so employers scrutinize candidates closely.
Sure, resumes are important, but it’s easy for someone to fluff up their experience or exaggerate skills. Background checks reveal criminal history, but they can’t tell you about someone’s personality or skill set. For honest, third-party intel on candidates, employers turn to references. A reference can provide a prospective employer with information critical to knowing whether this candidate should be hired as a caregiver, says Sheila Davis, senior vice president of area operations for Always Best Care Senior Services.
Davis is a certified home and health care executive, and with over 30 years in the industry, she’s seen how important references are when evaluating senior caregivers. “A reference can answer questions about your work history, skills, abilities, and work style and validate whether a candidate fits the position,” she says.
If you’re ready to assemble your lineup of go-to references but not sure where to start, read on for tips and answers to common questions from Davis and other experts.
How many references do I need?
Davis says most hiring managers in the senior care industry require between two and three references, so applicants should have at least that many at the ready. As your career progresses, you can add more to your arsenal and have a selection of references to choose from depending on what type of job you’re applying for.
“Providers are looking for candidates that are team players, motivated, self-initiated, good communicators, and most importantly, dependable.”
—Sheila Davis, senior vice president of area operations for Always Best Care Senior Services
What makes a strong reference?
Davis says the best references will be able to promote a caregiver’s strength in relevant skills. “Providers are looking for candidates that are team players, motivated, self-initiated, good communicators, and most importantly, dependable,” she says.
These insights are especially valuable when coming from a past supervisor, Davis adds. Employers look to references who can not only confirm you can assist seniors with their daily activities, but ensure they do not feel lonely. Strong references can speak to your abilities and strengths in both soft skills (personal habits or traits) and hard skills (technical abilities and knowledge you possess as a result of specific training).
When thinking about potential references, Davis suggests selecting people who can not only provide employers with a general understanding of your performance in past jobs, but insight into your personality and how you might approach this new role.
What if I’m new to professional senior caregiving?
Pamela Jung, president of Cross Country Healthcare’s Workforce Solutions Group — a company whose work includes staffing for in-home care for seniors — says experience is key. “Knowing the proper way to care for older adults is critical to the work we do, and we take recommendations and references very seriously,” she says. That said, different types of experience can count. “In general, we seek caregivers that have a heart for seniors,” notes Jung.
She explains that while her organization requires caregivers to have at least one year of experience working with older adults, this can include caring for a family member or friend. If you’ve done caregiving outside of a professional context, Jung suggests offering a member of the patient’s family, or the facility the caregiver is supporting, as a reference who can attest to your experience and skills gained from working with seniors.
Her company has a program specifically for those new to the field, providing training under a registered nurse. While two references are still required for insight on the applicant, her organization and others understand those joining the industry need opportunities to gain experience.
Can I use friends or family as references?
If you don’t have any personal caregiving experience with seniors, Davis discourages using family members as references since they may be biased and lack familiarity with your professional experience. If you don’t have much work experience, she suggests getting creative and looking elsewhere for contacts who can provide positive statements and character references. This could include a teacher, coach, minister, community leader, close friend or neighbor, Davis says.
Another rule of thumb: Only use friends as references if you’ve worked with them in some capacity, even if it’s simply through volunteering or a community project or organization, recommends Jane Kelley, executive director of Home and Community Services at Blakeford Senior Life in Nashville. These are “individuals who can speak about how you contribute to the world, more than just saying you are a good person,” she notes.
You can also lean on former managers or colleagues from past jobs in totally different industries, since they can still speak to you as a person and offer credibility as a professional. “Employers are looking to references to learn about the candidate’s character, work history, background, qualifications and personality to determine if the candidate would be a good fit,” points out Kelley.
How do I ask someone to be my reference?
Kelley discourages applicants from assuming someone will say yes to being a reference or providing their information to an employer without talking to them first. Instead, she says, reach out to the individual and have a conversation to see if they’re willing and the right fit. Here’s the process she recommends:
1. Explain your employment goals and why you want this role
For example, Kelley says, “I’m seeking a job as a caregiver; I have experience and loved my time in this kind of role.” Or “I know I have the skills and heart to perform well as a caregiver.”
2. Ask if this individual would consider serving as a reference for you
Explain why you thought of that person, citing how you appreciated the time you spent together (whether working, volunteering, etc.).
3. If they seem willing, next discuss what you hope this person could offer if your potential employer talks to them as a reference
If you’re short on professional references, Kelley offers examples such as, “I thought you would be able to talk about how we planned the fundraiser together” or “how we checked on our senior neighbors in the snowstorm.”
4. Offer to answer any questions and allow them time to think and follow up with you in a few days
Kelley says this beats putting them on the spot. If you use this criteria and process, she says, most people will say yes. However, “if someone feels they cannot provide a reference in this capacity, they are likely not a good advocate for you anyway,” she notes.
Davis adds that another way to support a reference is to vocalize any concerns you have about why you might not get the job, so they’re prepared to address any relevant questions in a reference check. She says it can also help to send references a brief bio to refresh them on your work history.
How do I present my references to an employer?
When a company asks for your references, in addition to providing the person’s name and contact information, Kelley recommends providing their current professional title and place of employment. If they’re not currently working, explain the capacity in which you knew or worked with this individual. “This gives legitimacy to the reference because it shows they will be able to talk about your potential ability to perform the job,” she explains.
The bottom line on gathering references as a caregiver
In career fields such as caregiving, where employees can have a major impact on a senior’s health and wellbeing, employers take the hiring process seriously. Don’t neglect your resume, but make sure to also build out a strong lineup of references. This way, if you score your dream job interview or offer, you’re ready to hand over a list of your champions who can help push you over the finish line.
