100 best money moves
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Move 38: Don't get this reference
Best thing to ask job references not to say: That you're kind or helpful. Sounds counterintuitive -- but a recent Rice University study found that recommendation letters that refer to those qualities tend to damage job prospects, especially for women.
In general, any description involving social skills worked against candidates.
A better bet: words such as "confident," "assertive," and "independent"_ terms associated with leadership.
NEXT: Moves 39-41: Make LinkedIn work harder
Last updated April 28 2011: 11:32 AM ET
