Originally Posted by
FlyerJosh
Only if you want to get burned in the end....
Employers know that any letters of recommendation that are submitted by you (as well as references) are going to be positive in nature.
Conflicting statements. I'm just telling you how businesses want them. They prefer that the person handing it in doesn't know what's being said. They want an honest assessment of the type of person you are.
They hold much less weight if you know what they say.
References are a different story. Those are more obvious than anything that they'll give a good response. However those are to test the people you listed more. A large company will do background checks on your references and family. That's why they make you list a few family members and friends. There's the concept of "you are the company in which you keep". If someone picks up the phone and talks in complete slang and Ebonics then the company is less likely to favor you. On the other hand if the person that answers is well spoken and mannered then you'll be favored. When listing contacts you'll do better if you pick people, ones that favor you, that are educated, well spoken, good mannered, and dignified before simply listing your best friend.. Unless your best friend is all of these things.
Some think it's crazy but in the real world people make sure not to try and sit higher than the person interviewing them, picking the perfect colors for the suit/shirt/tie, shanking the hand with correct firmness, keep from showing shoe bottoms, and avoid pointing toes or showing an open hand(palm) towards the individual with whom you're interviewing with.