They say that “Inquiring minds want to know”, and no minds are more inquiring than those considering whether or not to hire you. Once you have gained the interview – perhaps with your excellent resume and job credentials – the potentially hard part begins as employers conduct a (frequently rigorous) job reference and background check to ensure that you are their optimal employment candidate. With 30 years of experience, Allison & Taylor reports that many applicants are in for an unpleasant surprise; 50% of their clients receive poor to mediocre employment references.
And rest assured – your background and references will be investigated. There are two venues by which a prospective employer will accomplish this: first, via a background check, and second, by checking your key references at recent (or not-so-recent) places of employment. The background check is conducted through the use of your social security number – it will generate a report to the employer that will indicate if you have any criminal history, bankruptcies, etc. in your background. Reference checks are typically conducted with either your former supervisors, or Human Resources, or both. If any of the feedback from these checks reflects something unfavorable, it is highly unlikely that an employer will tell you that this is why you were not hired. Instead, the more likely scenario is that you will be told that they have made “other arrangements”, or you will simply never hear from then again.
Sadly, this happens far more often than most job seekers would think. It is very possible that the great job you lost out on at the last moment had nothing to do with your lack of skills, being overqualified, or a bad economy, but was instead the result of an unfavorable background check. In fact, about half of all references that are conducted through Allison & Taylor.com (a premier 3rd party reference/background checking organization) can be classified as mediocre to poor. This is indeed frightening when your employment livelihood is at stake.
Even if you don’t anticipate an issue, never assume that your background check – when run by a prospective employer – will be problem-free. Over your adult life, many parties have the ability to provide information that will ultimately appear on your report. If any of that data has been entered in error, (e.g. by a clerical person who has incorrectly entered your social security number, or someone else’s), you might find that there is something far worse on your report than a speeding ticket you got many years ago.
In summary, the old saying “never assume” surely applies to reference and background checks, and the problematic data they might reveal. The good news: organizations like Allison & Taylor.com can conduct a background check or job reference check for you, and offer remedial steps (such as a Cease & Desist letter) in the event either of these come back with negative commentary. It’s never too early to identify what your background report, or your former employers, are saying about you – the livelihood you save may be your own.
For further details on services and procedures please visit www.AllisonTaylor.com.
Are you protected by your old company’s policy to only confirm the dates and title of employment?
Our experience is, that with a little pressure, most managers break company policy and speak their mind to either help or hurt a candidate’s chance at another job. Who from your past job will help you or hurt you – you need to know.
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Is your past boss badmouthing you?
50% of our clients have lost good job offers due to bad or mediocre comments from previous employers. Reference-Letters.com will confidentially find out what is really being said about you and give you the power to stop it!
Interviewing well but not getting the job?
Maybe it’s something that a past employer or reference is saying. Could a jealous colleague be sabotaging you? Could your past boss be less than happy at your departure? Reference-Letters.com will help you find out.
Do you have a separation agreement with your past employer? Is it being honored?
Is your past employer giving you the professional and prompt reference that was promised or are they saying, “Well according to our agreement I can only confirm that he worked here.” Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said and give you the power to enforce your agreement.
Were you a victim of discrimination, sexual harassment or wrongful termination?
Your previous employers could be affecting your new job search through their comments to prospective employers. Don’t let them continue to hurt you and your career.
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Are you being BLACKBALLED?
Last year our clients were awarded more than $2 million in settlements. Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said about you and give you the power to stop it!
You’ve put time and effort into your resume, developed your network of possible employers and recruiters, worked on your interview skills – but have done nothing but typed a list of your references. Don’t leave this crucial area to chance. References are the final factor in who gets the job offer. Your past employers – anyone you reported to will be contacted. Do you know what they will say? Reference-Letters.com will find out what is really being said about you.