You never know who might open the door to your next opportunity.
Recently, we worked with a candidate whose application left us a little unsure about whether he was the right fit for the role. There were a few things we needed to consider before deciding whether to put him forward to our client.
However, one of his referees was someone we knew and trusted. Their feedback gave us a different perspective on the candidate and helped us better understand his experience and what he could bring to the role. It gave us the confidence to take another look at his application and put him forward to the client.
It was a good reminder of just how much your professional relationships matter.
When you leave a job it's easy to focus on what's next and move on to a new chapter. But the relationships you build with your supervisors and employers don't have to end when your employment does. The impression you leave behind can stay with you throughout your career.
A supervisor who knows your work ethic and has seen how you handle challenges can often tell a future employer things that your CV can't. Their feedback can help a recruiter understand you better and see what you could bring to a team.
Of course, maintaining good professional relationships doesn't mean you'll always receive a glowing reference. It's about doing your job well, treating people with respect and taking responsibility for your work. Even when a job doesn't work out as planned it's worth doing what you can to leave on good terms.
Don't underestimate the relationships you build along the way. Thank the people who have supported you, keep in touch with former supervisors where appropriate and always try to leave a positive impression.
You never know when a former supervisor might be the person who helps you take the next step in your career.
