Will the references I have from Canadian employers do me any good?

[LDora 7]

I was chatting with my old Boss the other day, who I'm still friendly with (he's like a hyperactive older brother with a business degree) and he asked if I was going to use him as a reference. I'd like to (along with several other people I worked for/with), but will a potential American employer go so far as to actually call all the way to Canada to check up on me? Or would they only be interested in an American work history? Another thing is, Old Boss retired from the company a year after I left -- is his word still good to a potential employer? (Boss is, of course, offended at the very idea of his opinion not being solid gold.)

I don't have my Greencard yet, I'm just planning here. I've got a lot of good references, and I was hoping they'd still be of use. Should I just put them on a resume and see what happens when it comes time to start job hunting? At least they'd be able to see I had a work history. (Solid one, too -- the one I really want to use is the three years I spend working/managing the bakery before moving down here.)

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. For some reason, I just got very nostalgic for some Canadian opinions.

[JillA 2]

I put on my resume "references available upon request" and I plan on giving my Canadian boss.... if they really want to check you out, they can pay a few bucks on company $$ and call long distance for a reference! If they are serious about possibly hiring you!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You can also ask your references if they would provide you with a written letter of recommendation now that you could actually include in with your resume or attach to any job applications. The letter would, of course, contain an invitation to contact the provider if further information is required, however, it will allow any employer access to a favourable reference without having to incur the expense of a phone call. The letters may encourage them to do a follow up on the phone but at the very least, you have a reference in hand supporting your application. Good luck.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Both ideas are excellent. I had letters from my Dean and other folks; but also their names and phone #'s in a separate list.

Also, depending on your area, you might have to get your credentials certified.- check into that as well

[LDora 7]

Good deal. Thanks for the input, guys! Boss loves any excuse to use that "From The Desk of ____ " stationary his wife got him for his birthday.

I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt to have a certificate from a food safety course in Florida, huh? I'm planning on getting back into a bakery again or in a kitchen somewhere.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Good deal. Thanks for the input, guys! Boss loves any excuse to use that "From The Desk of ____ " stationary his wife got him for his birthday.

I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt to have a certificate from a food safety course in Florida, huh? I'm planning on getting back into a bakery again or in a kitchen somewhere.

Love it!!!

As soon as you get to the US, check what you need to get one of those. Here in WA you get a food handlers permit in like 2 hours.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I guess it depends on the profession, but I'll totally be using my Canadian references. I'll give them an email address as well as their phone numbers in case they don't want to call long distance. But working in PR, we often are calling around all over the place, most of the companies I'll apply to have Canadian offices so I'm sure there won't be any major issues.

[Marilyn. 340]

I always included my Canadian references as they were all I had... some people didn't seem keen on the idea that I had references from another country but some didn't seem to care like the place I work now... they even called a couple of my references..

[BH45 0]

When I was hired at Accountemps, they called both my references in Canada. They had no problem as they knew I'd only worked in Canada.

[thetreble 19]

I hope they used my Canadian references! Or else I would have no work history and that wouldn't be fair now, would it

Actually I'm certain my current employer took the time to call my Canadian employers.

[Marilyn. 340]

I think if they are serious enough about hiring you they will take the time to call your Canadian references...

[MrsCat 6]

Before I left I got a letter of reference from one of my former managers. I just got a job with the State govt, and they never called any of my other references, she just relied on the one letter of reference. Risky?!

love the stationary comment.

[SapphireDreams 71]

^ Congrats on the job Cat!!

[Reba 2]

My current employer called my Canadian references, so yeah, I'd say put them on there most definitely. Both employment and character references. It's up the employer to check them, but they can't if they're not there.