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How does one respond when an interviewer asks why one has few or no references??
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I have been in a similar situations, a good solution I find is to bring into the interview actual samples of your work. For example, you can bring in reports you have written, photographs of construction projects, artwork, sample programs you have written, websites - anything that demonstrates that you have the skills and talent that they are looking for. Grant it, you must clarify why you think the skills and experience of creating your sample work applies to the job you are interviewing for. You should be very specific in your explanation.

In addition, if you do work for clients - have them write you letters of recommendation. This is especially good if they are long-term clients of yours and can really vouch for your abilities. Of course previous work history is the best, and it can be challenging to find work when you don't have it, so how are you suppose to get work history in the first place? Usually, I am very positive and look for the opportunities - maybe the job you are interviewing for is the doorway to the career you have always wanted. I have found, with most jobs - if you learn everything there is about the work and you are responsible and capable it is only a matter of time before you are given more responsibilities which you can use to grow your experience and grow professionally.

Lastly, if you are passionate about the work you are applying for and you let your employer know that you have this passion to do the work - this sometimes goes a lot further than you think.
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Sometimes one has worked a long time at one place, previous employment supervisors et al. are no longer there, companies are no longer in business, one works in an area/company where it's difficult to get/find references, or there are other reasons why one can't 'network' etc.

I didn't intend the above to be THE answer -- those are the possible REASONS why one might have difficulty gathering references.

What I want to do is find out HOW to handle this kind of thing. Thank you, Tom


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1.
maryj
Monday, October 22, 2007 7:36 PM
Good Luck Tom!
2.
KS
Saturday, January 05, 2008 4:50 PM
I dont think bringing the documents you have written in your last employment is a good idea at all. Its not 'YOUR' document but its company confidential property which you can not disclosed (unless you have agreed to do so)....
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Certainly not!  Don't touch my belongings or I kill you!

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Saturday, March 22, 2008
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Ms.
Saturday, August 21, 2010 11:11 AM
Of course you can check my references! But if you really want to know more about me, I suggest you Google me. There you can find my recent presentations, interviews, blog posts, comments, and recommendations already on LinkedIn. No reason to enter the relationship blind, my record--of which I am very proud--is available to the public.
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El Guapo
Monday, January 26, 2009 4:41 PM
Of corse gringo
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My boss asks me to create a document comparing the pros and cons of purchasing different kinds of software.  He's just crazy.  In fact, he cares only for the budget assigned to him from his top boss.  Why asks me to do unnecessary things!
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The interviewer who asks this question wants to discover if you are flexible, enjoy working in a team environment, have experience in this area, and what your viewpoints are on the subject.
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Friday, March 21, 2008
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Candace Davies
Friday, October 30, 2009 5:58 AM
The interviewer who asks this question wants to discover if you are flexible, enjoy working in a team environment, have experience in this area, and what your viewpoints are on the subject. It is always wise to speak about some of the positive aspects of team-teaching, such as: It is an effective strategy for teaching large groups of students. Team teaching encourages teachers to collaborate and generate ideas, as well as learn from each other ... two heads are always better than one! Talk about team-teaching experiences you have had, and the positive results that transpired.
If you haven't had any hands-on experience, explain that you enjoy working in a team setting and are excited about the possibility of participating in team teaching.

Candace Davies, Owner of A+ Resumes for Teachers
http://www.resumes-for-teachers.com
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There are some questions your interviewer has no business asking, and this is one.  But while you may feel like answering, "none of your business, "  naturally you can't. Some interviewers ask this question on the chance you admit to something, but if not, at least they'll see how you think on your  feet. 

Some unprepared candidates, flustered by this question,  unburden themselves of guilt from their personal life or career, perhaps expressing regrets regarding a parent, spouse, child  etc. All such answers can be disastrous.

BEST ANSWER:  As with faults and weaknesses,  never confess a regret.  But don't seem as if you're stonewalling either.

Best strategy:  Say you harbor no regrets, then add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations.

Example:  Pause for reflection, as if the question never occurred to you.   Then say, "You know, I really can't think of anything."  (Pause again, then add): "I would add that as a general management principle, I've found that the best way to avoid regrets is to avoid causing them in the first place.  I practice one habit that helps me a great deal in this regard.  At the end of each day, I mentally review the day's events and conversations to take a second look at the people and developments I'm involved with and do a doublecheck of what they're likely to be feeling.  Sometimes I'll see things that do need more follow-up, whether a pat on the back, or maybe a five minute chat in someone's office to make sure we're clear on things.whatever."

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007
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sikandar
Monday, September 28, 2009 5:54 AM
well antenna is also right.
2.
herbitsky
Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:53 PM
great response antenna!
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(This question asks the interviewer to identify what is most important and then to prioritize. Often interviewers will find this question very difficult because they don't really know. But how can you succeed without agreements on what's most important?)

Its depend upon the necessity & nature of work which is to prefer first
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Start with the present and tell why you are well qualified for the position. Remember that the key to all successful interviewing is to match your qualifications to what the interviewer is looking for. In other words you must sell what the buyer is buying. This is the single most important strategy in job hunting.

So, before you answer this or any question it's imperative that you try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal.
To do so, make you take these two steps:
Do all the homework you can before the hr interview to uncover this person's wants and needs (not the generalized needs of the industry or company)

As early as you can in the interview, ask for a more complete description of what the position entails. You might say: "I have a number of accomplishments I'd like to tell you about, but I want to make the best use of our time together and talk directly to your needs. To help me do, that, could you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position? All I know is what I (heard from the recruiter, read in the classified ad, etc.)"

Then, ALWAYS follow-up with a second and possibly, third question, to draw out his needs even more. Surprisingly, it's usually this second or third question that unearths what the interviewer is most looking for.

You might ask simply, "And in addition to that?..." or, "Is there anything else you see as essential to success in this position?:

This process will not feel easy or natural at first, because it is easier simply to answer questions, but only if you uncover the employer's wants and needs will your answers make the most sense. Practice asking these key questions before giving your answers, the process will feel more natural and you will be light years ahead of the other job candidates you're competing with.

After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. Be sure to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs he has just described.
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Monday, October 01, 2007
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Comments (4) :
1.
Sntani
Sunday, August 02, 2009 5:25 AM
Iam a male and iam 21 i have a degree iam brown colored imnot inidan i like to work.. LOL
2.
Shantanu
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:46 PM
Hi,
I am Shantanu and i am a web designer.
Recently i have launched a website.
please see this:
http://www.itportalindia.com
 
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