How to Ask for Reviews
Reviews are a crucial part of your Care.com profile. Caregivers who have them are six times more likely to be contacted by potential employers. You know you̵7;re top-notch at your job, but having reviews can make the difference between hearing the words, ̶0;You̵7;re hired̶1; and ̶0;Thanks, but no thanks.̶1;
However, asking current or former employers to write a review about you can feel awkward or intimidated. But it doesn̵7;t have to be!
Denise Kalm, a board-certified coach and author of ̶0;Career Savvy-Keeping & Transforming Your Job,̶1; and Stacia Pierce, career expert and CEO of Ultimate Lifestyle Enterprises, offer their tips for asking people for reviews.
Want to learn more about the process? Learn how to get reviews on Care.com.
1) Pick the Right Time
Asking your current employer to post a review on Care.com can be tricky. ̶0;Whatever the situation, ask from strength, if you can,̶1; says Kalm. ̶0;That means requesting a review right after accomplishing something your employer appreciates.̶1;
This will be easier if you̵7;re a part-time worker or your current employer knows you̵7;re transitioning to a different position. If you̵7;re a full-time caregiver, you don̵7;t want your employer to think you̵7;re about to jump ship.
̶0;If you have a good relationship with your employer and they have previously given you positive feedback on your job performance, don̵7;t hesitate to go back and ask them for a good reference when you need it,̶1; adds Pierce.
2) Ask via Email
Requesting a review may feel uncomfortable face-to-face, and you want to ask in a way that does not make someone feel obligated. Pierce suggests emailing as a good starting point, so you̵7;re not putting anyone on the spot with an in-person request. By using email, you also give yourself time to phrase the request appropriately. Of course, you can also request an in-person meeting or phone call to discuss the request more.
3) Make It Easy
̶0;Sometimes your reference may have a lot on their plate, so you can suggest sending them a pre-written [post],̶1; says Pierce. ̶0;This method can be a win-win for you both; they won̵7;t have to spend a great deal of time writing the letter and you can have the statements you want included.̶1;
If they prefer to write the letter themselves, give suggestions about areas they may want to discuss, such as your tidiness or creative solution solving, suggests Kalm. ̶0;You can share an example, which is representative of your skills or write up the example for them,̶1; she says.
4) Check in With Old Employers
Even if time has passed, you can go back and ask former employers to post reviews to your Care.com profile. If you̵7;ve been using an old reference for many years, however, Kalm suggests checking in again, to see if their opinion has changed or if they are no longer willing provide you with a referral.
5) Add Variety
Think about asking different types of employers, not just families who have hired you for the type of work you are currently looking for. If you worked in a retail store or did volunteer work, the skills you utilized in those past situations can translate into positive reviews. Ask friends or family members to post reviews concentrating on your personality traits like loyalty and trustworthiness.
Post a message on your social media profiles, asking if anyone would be interesting in writing a review. You may have forgotten someone who can provide a great testimonial.
6) Express Gratitude
Time and opinions are valuable commodities. If someone is willing to post a positive review, you should thank them ̵2; either with a note or maybe some homemade treats. They̵7;re work will help you land new jobs after all. This also emphasizes how gracious and professional you are.
7) Don̵7;t Wait Until You̵7;re Out of Work
Situations can change overnight and a job you thought would last forever can end with little notice. Being pro-active and continually adding reviews to your profile will save you valuable time if you find yourself unemployed.
Ready to add reviews to your Care.com profile? You can request reviews now by inviting family, friends and past and current employers to connect with you on Care.com. They’ll be prompted to write you a review when they receive your connection request.
Asking for some praise may make you nervous, but don̵7;t let shyness get in the way of a job you̵7;re perfect for. These communication skills can translate into other areas of your professional life and support your ability to negotiate. Choose who you reach out to wisely, ask professionally and reap the benefits of reviews that tell the world who you are.
Corey Whelan is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her work can be found here.
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