I have a friend who has some clout in the industry that we both work in. I have never actually worked him, but his name would look good in my reference section. He is perfectly willing to stretch the truth about our working relationship. It actually isn't that much of a stretch, we regularly discuss current events in the industry and bounce ideas off of each other. Your thoughts on this? And how would you list your relationship to this person (these are supposed to be professional references), business acquaintance?

12/5/2013 6:14:50 PM

he would be a personal reference not a professional one

12/5/2013 6:15:57 PM

I agree. We're discussing lying about that here. This particular job didn't ask for personal references.

[Edited on December 5, 2013 at 6:32 PM. Reason : ]

12/5/2013 6:32:02 PM

If the dude can BS it so that he sounds like a legitimate professional reference then go for it.

12/5/2013 8:40:18 PM

does professional reference have to = employer or co-worker? i think being in a professional organization could count, and your discussions don't sound much different than that.

12/5/2013 11:15:10 PM

"Relax. You guys got nothing to worry about. I'm a professional."



[Edited on December 5, 2013 at 11:39 PM. Reason : X]

[Edited on December 5, 2013 at 11:40 PM. Reason : C]

[Edited on December 5, 2013 at 11:41 PM. Reason : It was a picture if the parking attendent from ferris bueller. Bueller had a mueller.]

12/5/2013 11:38:46 PM

Professional recommendation does necessarily mean you've worked for/with said person. Unless otherwise stated, a professional recommendation can come from anyone who has knowledge of your profession and professional skills, and enough such that they can responsibly and ethically recommend you.

If you don't meet these criteria, then don't do it. Unless the idea of professionalism means nothing to you.

12/6/2013 8:42:29 AM

^

12/6/2013 9:02:25 AM

99% of the time, voluntary references are a sham. No candidate will willingly provide the name and contact information of someone who will provide a bad reference.

If you've got someone who's willing to speak on your behalf as a professional reference, if their public LinkedIn profile backs up their "credibility", and it will help you get the job, go for it.

12/6/2013 9:12:34 AM

need to correct ^^^

Professional recommendation does NOT necessarily

12/6/2013 9:21:50 AM