Job Search Tactics: How to Use Testimonials

Few things are more persuasive and impressive than having an unbiased third-party source say great things about you. Advertisers have used this technique for ages, because it's been proven over and over again to work exceptionally well. Not sure what this technique looks like? Think of those little two or three sentence quotes in ads, like this:

"Rinsami shined my shower like no other cleanser ever has. My life has been changed by your product. Thank you so very much."

Jan B. Sample
Berwyn Illinois

We've all seen such quotes -- called "testimonials" -- so many times that we hardly notice them. But the fact of the matter is that they add enormous amounts of power and credibility to the claims of advertisers. And they can work wonders just the same for your job search.

Here's how to use testimonials throughout your job search to make your career and experience more compelling.

Get 'Em by Asking
Most people think that testimonials just naturally come pouring in -- the reward bestowed on the rare few who are so exceptional that people just naturally rave about them. Nope the truth of the matter is that anybody who has loads of good comments to quote from people almost certainly made a point of asking for such praise. And that makes perfect sense -- even for the very best businesses and services, most people won't make the time to jot down a few kind words. So throughout your career, you should consistently ask people if they'll write a couple sentences about what impresses them about you, or what they like about your performance. Even if you don't know how exactly you're planning to use these comments, be diligent about collecting them. They're diamond-studded platinum for your job search.

Get Permission to Use Them
When people agree to write you a testimonial or recommendation, make sure to ask for their permission to use it in a variety of means. It's unlikely that any of your colleagues will object to such a use, but it's common professional courtesy to ask anyway.