Business

Strategically Pick Your References

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2022

Hiring is costly, thus why employers ask for references—the last hurdle to jump over to reach your job search finish line.

Before going to a restaurant, you’ve never been to, you likely check out online reviews, as you would read Amazon reviews before ordering a herbal remedy you’ve never tried or a laptop.

Employers conduct reference checks for the same reasons you read reviews before making a purchasing decision: They want to know what kind of employee you’ll be (most likely) and whether you’ll be worth the salary investment.

Furthermore, your opinion of yourself and your work is biased. Someone substantiating your claims goes a long way in making an employer feel confident you’re the right person for the job. A few jobs back, I had a candidate going on about how they were a “team player.” They even told me great STAR stories. However, when I spoke to a former colleague, they painted an entirely different picture of the person. Providing references who’ll speak positively about you should be obvious.

I’ve seen great resumes, impressive interview performances, and all the candidate’s efforts negated by bad references. Hence, their candidacy was no longer considered.

Speak to your potential references before starting your job search. Changing jobs is common these days; therefore, there’s a good chance your former boss is no longer at your former employer. This is why it’s a good idea to stay in touch with former colleagues and bosses. You don’t want to be asked for references, a sign that your potential employer is considering offering you the job, and then find yourself scrambling trying to find references who’ll evangelize your abilities and provide examples of your work.

Don’t provide a list of names to employers without telling the people on the list that they’re references. Never share a person’s contact information without their prior consent. If I receive a reference request out of the blue, I decline to act as a reference. First off, I’m caught off guard. Secondly, the person who gave my name and contact information without my permission didn’t show any common courtesy. Nobody is owed a reference.

As a hiring manager, I’ve spoken to many references who weren’t excited or eager to act as a reference. Gauge how the person feels when you ask them to be your reference. Unless they say, “Sure, anytime!” or, as I tend to say, “I’ll make sure they want you more than you want them,” then don’t use the person as a reference. Don’t even try to convince them to be a reference.

I will occasionally decline to be a reference for obvious reasons; we parted on bad terms. Not only is it professional, but it’s also in your best interest to leave your job amicably. Leave the epic job quitting scenes in Jerry Maguire, Office Space, and American Beauty to Hollywood. Keep in mind that it’s a small world; many industries are “close-knit,” and reputations travel on many roads—then there are social media. You never know when you’ll need a former boss or colleague to act as a reference for you.

Your references should be people who can speak to your work output and results, your overall approach to projects, and your ability to collaborate and lead. Your mother, father, best friend, or that one successful uncle don’t count. Instead, choose former or current coworkers, past managers, or even clients and customers who can offer insight into your work and character.

Ideally, your references (Plan on having at least four references in case one or two are unavailable.) should include a recent boss, a peer, and a subordinate. Chose people who not only can speak to your performance and your potential but—this is key—who are articulate. They needn’t be orators, but one-word answers and “Oh, he’s nice” don’t make for a good reference.

If you have any doubt about someone being a reference, DON’T USE THEM! As I mentioned, regardless of how well your interviews went, a bad reference can destroy your chances of receiving a job offer.

Once you’ve lined up your references, give each of them a copy of your current résumé. When a potential employer asks for your references, inform your references to expect a call. As well, send them the link to the job posting or the job description.

Last but not least, thank your references for helping you take the next step in your career and stay in touch with them for your next job search.

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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send Nick your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

Business

Roots sees room for expansion in activewear, reports $5.2M Q2 loss and sales drop

Published

17 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Roots Corp. may have built its brand on all things comfy and cosy, but its CEO says activewear is now “really becoming a core part” of the brand.

The category, which at Roots spans leggings, tracksuits, sports bras and bike shorts, has seen such sustained double-digit growth that Meghan Roach plans to make it a key part of the business’ future.

“It’s an area … you will see us continue to expand upon,” she told analysts on a Friday call.

The Toronto-based retailer’s push into activewear has taken shape over many years and included several turns as the official designer and supplier of Team Canada’s Olympic uniform.

But consumers have had plenty of choice when it comes to workout gear and other apparel suited to their sporting needs. On top of the slew of athletic brands like Nike and Adidas, shoppers have also gravitated toward Lululemon Athletica Inc., Alo and Vuori, ramping up competition in the activewear category.

Roach feels Roots’ toehold in the category stems from the fit, feel and following its merchandise has cultivated.

“Our product really resonates with (shoppers) because you can wear it through multiple different use cases and occasions,” she said.

“We’ve been seeing customers come back again and again for some of these core products in our activewear collection.”

Her remarks came the same day as Roots revealed it lost $5.2 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $5.3 million in the same quarter last year.

The company said the second-quarter loss amounted to 13 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Aug. 3, the same as a year earlier.

In presenting the results, Roach reminded analysts that the first half of the year is usually “seasonally small,” representing just 30 per cent of the company’s annual sales.

Sales for the second quarter totalled $47.7 million, down from $49.4 million in the same quarter last year.

The move lower came as direct-to-consumer sales amounted to $36.4 million, down from $37.1 million a year earlier, as comparable sales edged down 0.2 per cent.

The numbers reflect the fact that Roots continued to grapple with inventory challenges in the company’s Cooper fleece line that first cropped up in its previous quarter.

Roots recently began to use artificial intelligence to assist with daily inventory replenishments and said more tools helping with allocation will go live in the next quarter.

Beyond that time period, the company intends to keep exploring AI and renovate more of its stores.

It will also re-evaluate its design ranks.

Roots announced Friday that chief product officer Karuna Scheinfeld has stepped down.

Rather than fill the role, the company plans to hire senior level design talent with international experience in the outdoor and activewear sectors who will take on tasks previously done by the chief product officer.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:ROOT)

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Business

Talks on today over HandyDART strike affecting vulnerable people in Metro Vancouver

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, are set to resume today as a strike that has stopped most services drags into a second week.

No timeline has been set for the length of the negotiations, but Joe McCann, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they are willing to stay there as long as it takes, even if talks drag on all night.

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people unable to navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last Tuesday, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

Hundreds of drivers rallied outside TransLink’s head office earlier this week, calling for the transportation provider to intervene in the dispute with Transdev, which was contracted to oversee HandyDART service.

Transdev said earlier this week that it will provide a reply to the union’s latest proposal on Thursday.

A statement from the company said it “strongly believes” that their employees deserve fair wages, and that a fair contract “must balance the needs of their employees, clients and taxpayers.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

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Business

Transat AT reports $39.9M Q3 loss compared with $57.3M profit a year earlier

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

Anne Joseph

MONTREAL – Travel company Transat AT Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year earlier as its revenue edged lower.

The parent company of Air Transat says it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31.

The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.

Revenue in what was the company’s third quarter totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.

On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.

Transat chief executive Annick Guérard says demand for leisure travel remains healthy, as evidenced by higher traffic, but consumers are increasingly price conscious given the current economic uncertainty.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:TRZ)

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