marsha nerdon nugent

I usally have them have include the client comment and if they have an established clientele that will be beneficial

Tara Okoney

Even though most massage employers will have a practical interview, I encourage graduates to always offer 5 - 10 minutes of massage to the interviewer before they leave the interview. It has been very successful.

Viola McKnight

I do think that having a professional online profile on LinkedIn could be something that an employer might appreciate. Also, writing samples like a professional blog or articles written could be an impressive addition.

Robert Pearl Starks

Hi Vanessa,

I've had the challenge as well and I use it as an opportunity to explain the importance of work experience, volunteering, and/or other ways to get experience and work with others so that one can build their network and potential list of references. It's valuable to have diversified references so this is the conversation I would have with students.

Robert Starks Jr.

Vanessa Massey

I tell them that a reference should be professional so that the person who is referring a student can focus more on their professional skills and performance. I even tell them that I've had a friend use me as a professional reference (we met as co-workers) and when I am called, I don't mention our personal relationship unless asked about it. I focus on the skills I saw her use while we worked together.

I think the students understand, but their problem is trying to figure out who to ask as a reference. I have many of them who will use instructors as all of their references (3 or more) and, while I tell them using instructors is fine, they should also have references from someone they've actually worked with/for.

Robert Pearl Starks

Hi Vanessa,

What reasons do you give your students on whey references should be "professional?" How do they respond to those reasons?

Robert Starks Jr.

Vanessa Massey

We usually focus on what's been discussed in this section. References, referrals, etc.

The one thing I usually have to correct our students on is when they are thinking up references, they usually want to use personal ones (friends, family, etc.) I tell them that good references should be professional. And it doesn't have to be a supervisor, it can be a co-worker, client, etc.

Robert Pearl Starks

Hi Pamela,

Thanks for sharing this practice. Can you share your evaluation of this practice - is it working? Do you have any ideas on how this could be built upon to help students strengthen their portfolios further?

Robert Starks Jr.

Pamela Doody

I have them make copies of 5 comment cards from their student clinic and keep them with them when going on interviews. This way they can show the employer what others say about their work and the copies can be left with employer.