A job seeker asks:
- I would like to know when old references are no longer current due to lapse of time or people having changed phone numbers. Who can I use beside the current employer when I do not want her to know I’m pursuing another career interest?
- Some of my prior companies are out of business and there is no way to contact them.
- What should I do?
The answer:
There is a difference between professional references and work references. Work references are used to verify the dates of employment by contacting your previous employer’s corporate human resources department or past supervisor. In general, most companies will only provide name, rank and serial number.
Professional references, on the other hand, are completely different. These are professional friends and colleagues who can speak to your work history, character and other important qualities. Companies call on professional references to dig deeper into the type of employee and worker you really are from the people that you trust most.
It’s important when deciding whom to list as your professional references that you ask yourself two things:
1) Can they speak positively to your experience when placed under pressure in a professional manner?
2) Are they willing to speak on your behalf? Have you asked them?
Potential references are teachers, a fellow church or non-profit volunteer, or a past supervisor who you feel comfortable with. Family members are normally discouraged from being listed as a professional reference.
Companies contact references after the job offer has been made as part of the final step of the hiring process. Most companies prefer at least 3 professional references. A poor reference can result in a company rescinding or canceling the job offer they extended. Because of this it is very important to make sure that your references are aware of the position and the responsibilities of a job you have applied to beforehand. It’s like providing them a study sheet before the big test. Don’t give them all the answers but provide them a list of talking points to help remind them of your responsibilities and experience.
References are an important part of the job search process that is often overlooked. Make sure to list the most current contact information as you have available. If a company is requesting a work reference from an office no longer in business, do your best to reach out to past colleagues who can verify when and where you worked.
How do I put a bad past employment experience behind me and is any way I can get out of using my old employer as a referee for other jobs I have applied for as I feel that it is not in their interest to know what my next career move is?
Personally, If I’m currently employed but looking for a better situation. I’d let the perspective employer know that at present time, contacting present employer is not recommended. Upon an offer of employment, I feel very strongly about giving a minimum of 2 weeks notice. At that time, there’d be no reason NOT to call present employer.
If youre upfront about your needs to handle the situation professionally and confidentially, the perspective employer is going to appreciate your consideration not only to your current employer, but to him as well.
Great advice Joy! Thanks for sharing it.
I don’t have work experiences in the U.S., and my past employers and supervisors do not speak English very well. I really doubt if they could write me a good reference letter. What should I do?
Hi Celine – You should explain your situation in a cover letter. Say that you are confident your former employers would give you a positive reference, but they may have trouble expressing their feelings in English. Are you bilingual? That quality can be very beneficial while job search, check out Bella’s story for inspiration! http://www.snagajob.com/resources/speaking-spanish-helped-bella-get-hired/
Placement and HR don’t have the skills of a master interrogator to glean any useful information from a reference that the reference doesn’t want to give. Moreover, after the recent credit crisis haven’t we learned anything about the ability and willingness of individuals and companies to lie about important/critical material facts such as abilities, income and occupation. The best way to hire is to TEST aptitude FIRST! can the person do the job or are can they be trained to do it?!? and NEXT consider qualitative relationship issues such as ability to effectively interact and engage internally (co-workers) and externally (clients, customers, suppliers, etc) in a manner which the position requires to holistically contribute to the profitability of the enterprise. If you would like to know the REAL value of a reference, ask those who lost BILLIONS with Madoff ! ALL his victims came via highly-vouched personal AND professional references from supposedly well-informed, sophisticated people and organizations. In addition, the recession has displaced millions of mid/senior level executives, I’m wondering how asking a possibly unemployed stranger replaces internal independent assessment of skills of the employer? Moreover, despite however generous a reference may be if they are unemployed and receiving a call about the possible employment a friend or former professional associate may the green-eyed monster come into play on their behalf and unintentionally wreck the prospect??? references are useless.