When you’re looking for a new job, your CV will tell an employer what you’ve done. An interview will give them a feel for who you are. But sometimes, it’s what someone else says about you that can really make the difference.
A good verbal testimonial can be incredibly powerful.
As recruiters, we speak to candidates every day who look great on paper. They have the right experience, the right qualifications and have worked for good businesses. But when you’re competing against several people with similar backgrounds, employers are often looking for something more.
That’s where a strong recommendation comes in.
Your reputation follows you
Over the years, we’ve built relationships with candidates, hiring managers and businesses across Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas. People move companies, progress into management positions and become hiring managers themselves.
And one of the most valuable things we hear is:
“I worked with them. They’re really good at ….”
Or:
“I’d employ them again tomorrow.”
Those few words can carry an enormous amount of weight.
Why? Because they’re coming from somebody who has actually seen that person at work. They know whether they turn up, whether they deliver, how they treat colleagues and customers, and what they’re like when things get difficult.
Skills get you so far – reputation takes you further
Most employers can assess technical ability from a CV and interview. What is harder to assess is everything that sits behind it.
Are you reliable?
Do you take ownership?
Are you good to work with?
Can you be trusted?
Do you help the people around you?
Would a previous manager want you back?
A genuine verbal testimonial can answer those questions in a way that a CV simply can’t.
We’ve seen candidates move quickly through a recruitment process because somebody within our network has worked with them previously and immediately vouched for them. Equally, we’ve had hiring managers become much more interested in a candidate once we’ve been able to say, “We’ve recruited them before, we know their reputation, and we’ve had excellent feedback.”
That reassurance matters.
Don’t underestimate the impression you leave behind
When people are leaving a business, it’s natural to focus on what’s next. But the way you leave your current employer can have an impact years down the line.
Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands business community can be a surprisingly small world. The colleague sitting next to you today could be the Finance Director, HR Manager or business owner recruiting for your dream job five years from now.
Your professional reputation is being built throughout your career, not just when you’re actively looking for work.
So leave jobs well. Maintain relationships. Help people. Be reliable. Do what you say you’re going to do.
Because you never quite know when somebody saying “I know them – they’re excellent” might open a door.
A CV tells your story. Your reputation backs it up.
Qualifications, experience and a well-written CV will always be important. But don’t underestimate the power of having good people willing to put their name behind you.
The best testimonial isn’t necessarily the polished recommendation sitting on your LinkedIn profile.
Sometimes it’s an unprompted conversation between two people who have worked with you:
“You should definitely speak to them.”
And when you’re looking for your next opportunity, that can be one of the strongest endorsements you can have.
A Quick Note on GDPR and Consent
Of course, recommendations and testimonials should always be handled appropriately. Under GDPR, a recruiter shouldn’t simply share personal information or contact previous employers without your knowledge. Your consent matters. A good recruiter will be transparent about who they are speaking to, what information is being shared and will seek your permission before approaching referees or using a testimonial as part of your application.
Why Choose Benjamin Edwards Recruitment?
At Benjamin Edwards Recruitment, we believe finding your next role is about more than simply matching your CV to a vacancy. We take the time to understand you – your experience, ambitions, motivations and what you want from your next move. By working closely with you throughout the process, we can help you choose the right next career move, rather than simply the next available job.
