When should I update my resume and references?

Hi Don,

As I put together the necessary documents (resume, references, etc.)
to prepare for my interviews, I noticed that my last references are
one year old. As I am applying for a teaching position in an
elementary school setting and have been at my current school for the
past two years, should I have these individuals who wrote the letters
of recommendations update those documents (either create new ones or
“touch them up” with a more recent date)? Or, can I use them as is? The

highest praise came from my principal and mentoring teacher. I am
going to a job fair in two weeks and don’t believe I can get those
updated in time (if needed)… did I wait to long?

Thanks.

Marc

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Hi Marc,

I would not worry about updating. I’ve used references and letters of
recommendation that were 5-10+ years old. As long as your references
like you and remember you, don’t worry about updating.

References and letters of recommendation have little effect on whether
you get the job or not. They are only considered after the company has
internally decided to hire you, then to further justify their decision
to make you an offer, they will contact your references. As nice as
letters of recommendation are and in my opinion, they are practically
worthless. But a good phone call to one of your references can be
priceless.

Also, you should never list references on your resume or include them
with your resume. Only give them out if asked by your interviewer.
Never volunteer them. Way too pushy.

I can only remember 1 or 2 times where my references were ever contacted
and I’ve had many many jobs.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Don

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