Customer question on when to update resumes and references

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.

Sshould 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?

Marc

Don’s answer to when you should update your resume and job references

I would not worry about updating as long as you have remained in touch with the people on your references. I’ve used references and letters of recommendation that were 5-10+ years old.

As long as your references like you and remember you, you shoudl be in good shape. Now, if you references that are 10 years old and they hardly remember you anymore, or if you suspect your references are working against you, then by all means look for newer and fresher references.

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.

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