By far, the one piece of information a potential employer is looking for is how well a candidate performed in the past. The EmploymentCrossing.com founder says the study revealed 36% of those interviewed say that is top priority. Following that, managers wanted to know the reference’s opinions on a candidate’s strengths and weaknesses as well as confirmation that the information, such as job title and employment dates, are accurate on the resume. A. Harrison Barnes says the extremely competitive job market means more hiring managers are relying on reference checks to help them determine the best person to fill a position.

So how do you know who to include as a professional reference? Barnes has a few suggestions that will serve your purposes. “It’s absolutely crucial that you don’t assume it’s OK to use someone as a reference. Never use anyone as a reference without asking beforehand.” Also, it’s important to carefully consider who you’re going to approach. You want your references to have a true knowledge of your skills, your work habits and your work ethics. Also, just as you don’t want to misrepresent yourself on your resume, don’t misrepresent your references, either. No need to sugarcoat a job title of your reference. It could easily backfire and put you in a less than ideal light. Also, don’t forget that an interviewer isn’t limited to the references you supply. He can easily make a phone call to a acquaintance who you both know or even take a look at your Linkedin profile, Facebook page or even your Twitter feed.  When it comes to landing a new job, it’s best to assume nothing.

Finally, before your references can be of any help to you, there must be an exceptional resume for a potential employer to work from. This is where EmploymentCrossing.com’s team of resume experts can step in and create a flawless resume that will get you noticed. Already have a resume put together? Our team can review it for you, point out the strengths and weaknesses so that it can perfected to highlight the best of what you have to offer.

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So what does this mean for those searching for work?  Frankly, it means not much has changed.  Remaining committed to one’s career, even in a less than ideal job market, can be difficult; however, no one can do it for you.  It’s all about focus, determination and the right tools to ensure you stand out from the competition.  These tools, of course, include a flawless resume, the ability to do well in an interview with your conversation skills and faith in your education and abilities.

As A. Harrison Barnes, CEO of EmploymentCrossing.com, points out, networking can play a significant role in locating those positions you might had not considered before.  Further, with the highly competitive state of the job market, any tool you can include in your arsenal is crucial and can often mean the difference in landing a job or losing it to the next interviewee.  Of course, taking advantage of sites such as EmploymentCrossing can also give you the upper hand in today’s unpredictable career market.

Another tip, courtesy of A. Harrison Barnes, is to remain focused in your job search.  It’s easy to become distracted, only to end up in jobs that do not match your area of education or your interests.  Do your research, regardless of how desperate you are for work.  Ensure you understand exactly what you’re getting into.  EmploymentCrossing is an excellent place to start your search.  Here, you’ll discover more tips and advice from A. Harrison Barnes as well as updates from the employment sector and of course, job opportunities you will only find on EmploymentCrossing.

Despite the often confusing news that’s reported in the media, the job openings remain scarce and will likely continue to remain that way for a good many months.  The beginning of a new year is always promising, but it’s important to remember the U.S. has been in the current recession for nearly three years.  We all look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel that might finally signal the end of current economic times, especially those of us who are looking to build or rebuild our careers that will ensure our financial well-being.

Bottom line, there is simply no room for assumptions or “almost” perfects.  You simply must rise above the mediocrity, highlight your strengths via your resume and interview process and work on those weaknesses that might provide trouble after you’ve landed your dream job in your chosen career.  These are all goals we should seek to meet regardless of current employment climates.

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