Professional references can be allies to your success

A woman I barely know recently requested that I recommend her on LinkedIn. I was taken aback because I had only met her a handful of times in very casual circumstances. I could not speak to the quality of her work or her character, so I politely declined her request. It was awkward for both of us.

Professional references are an important piece of an effective job-search strategy. Most recruiters look at the recommendations on your LinkedIn profile before contacting you. And any reputable employer will call your professional references prior to bringing you onboard.

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