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Seven Deadly Myths of Job
References
Thinking about your prospects for landing that new job? You
should think first about what your former boss and other references
will say about you. There is no doubt, for many job
searchers, a person’s past will have a direct bearing on his
or her future. “No matter what the nature of the job or pay
scale, people
should take their references very seriously,” said Heidi M.
Allison, Managing Director of www.allisontaylor.com.
“They can make or break a hiring decision.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know what your references are really
saying about you during a job search? We check references and
give the results directly back to you.”
Ms. Allison says it's time to dispel a number of myths about job
references:
Myth No. 1:
Companies are not allowed
to say anything negative about a former employee.
Reality:
While many companies may have policies dictating that only title, dates
of employment and eligibility for rehire can be discussed, their
employees at both the supervisory and HR level frequently violate such
policies. Due to human nature, providing a reference may be
an emotional call for some. How about the boss with
whom you had philosophical differences or the supervisor who sexually
harassed you? Maybe a boss was just jealous of you?
Approximately fifty percent (50%) of Allison &
Taylor’s clients receive a bad reference, despite the strict
policies in place.
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 2
Most corporations direct
reference check requests to their human resources departments, and
these people won’t say anything bad about me.
Reality:
Most human resources professionals will follow proper
protocol. However, in addition to what is said, prospective
employers often evaluate how something is said. In other
words, they listen to tone of voice and note the HR staffer’s
willingness to respond to their questions – both critical
factors. Often heard is “Check this
person’s references very carefully”, an ominous
statement from any perspective. A human resources department
will often divulge if a person is eligible for re-hire. Are
you?
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 3
If I had any issues with
my former boss, I can simply leave him or her off my reference list and
nobody will ever know.
Reality:
Many companies actually check references without your even being aware
of it. They conduct what is known as a “social
security check” to determine where you have worked in the
past and then call the human resources department or office
administrator, frequently at each employer, for a reference.
This practice is also used to determine if a prospective employee has
left any significant places of employment off of a resume – a
bad move that should be avoided.
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 4
I should have my
references listed on my resume and distribute them together.
Reality:
Your references should be treated with kid gloves. Only
provide them when asked. The last thing you want is a number
of companies that may or may not have a real interest in hiring you
bothering your references. What’s more, you want to
meet with a prospective employer first to leave a favorable impression
before any reference checks take place. If you suspect a less
than favorable reference from someone, you can use the interview to
proactively address the situation proactively.
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 5
Once a company hires me,
my references really do not matter anymore.
Reality:
Many employment agreements/contracts include a stipulation that says
the employer can terminate you without cause within a 90-day probation
period. Not only are they evaluating your job performance
but, in some instances, are also checking your background and
references. During this time, your new employer may call your
former places of employment and, should the feedback be less than
desired, they have the legal right to fire you.
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 6:
I sued my former company
and they are now not allowed to say anything.
Reality:
They may not be able to say anything definitive, but do not put it past
them to carefully take a shot at you. There have been plenty
of instances where a former boss or an HR staffer has said,
“Hold on a minute while I get the legal file to see what I am
allowed to say about this former employee.” Many
employers are uncomfortable hiring someone who has a legal history,
perhaps dashing your job prospects.
Get Your References Checked
Myth No. 7
There is really no need
to stay in touch with former references.
Reality:
As the saying goes – out of sight, out of mind.
Honor these etiquette guidelines and your references should continue
singing your praises for a long time. First, call your former
boss(es) periodically and update them on your career, asking them to
continue being a reference for you. Make sure you thank them
for their time. Next, as you move further up the career
ladder in your profession or achieve new educational goals, make sure
your references stay abreast of your success. As you
progress, a reference is more inclined to see you in a positive
light. Finally, acknowledge your references with a personal
thank you letter or email; offer to take a former boss to lunch or
dinner, or send them a thoughtful gift.
Get Your References Checked
About www.allisontaylor.com
(Operated by Allison & Taylor Reference Checking, Inc.)
Allison & Taylor Reference Checking, Inc., headquartered in
Rochester, Mich., has been in the business of checking references for
individuals since 1984. The firm’s services have been listed
and recommended in best selling books authored by Martin Yate. In
addition, numerous articles have been published about the service in
newspapers and magazines including Glamour, New Woman, Worth, NBEW, The
Detroit News, and St. Petersburg Times. For more information,
please visit www.allisontaylor.com
or call 800-890-5645.
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