More on the Real Deal of References

Several readers wrote following last week’s article, The Real Deal on References (see posting below for Saturday December 16). Nona Aguilar gave me permission to use her name along with a tip she received from an HR person. When you’re checking a reference, call when you’re pretty sure the reference will be away from his or her desk. Leave a voice mail. Those who are eager to give positive references will return the call. Those who dread giving a negative reference will delay or ignore your message altogether. And... Q: “I now have to ask colleagues for references – how do I do this?” A: Just ask. In some industries it’s so common that nobody will be surprised. You can say, “I’m applying for a job with X and they would like references from colleagues and peers as well as bosses. I’ve really enjoyed working with you and believe you know my work. Could I give your name?” Sometimes your colleague will say, “I’m not sure what to say about you.” In that case be ready to offer specific suggestions or even draft the entire reference letter. The challenge comes if you’re job-hunting in secret and you need references from present colleagues. In general, I believe companies should understand that you can’t give references from your current job till the very last minute. You may offer to bring in copies of performance appraisals, awards and other documents. Q. “I’m pretty sure my boss is giving me a bad reference – what can I do?” A: First, try to negotiate. Many bosses will be so glad to see you go, they’ll help you along the way! I once taught at a business school where everyone realized that we had made a big mistake when we hired a new dean. He was a real disaster. So the senior faculty gave him glowing references when he applied for a new job. Unfortunately, they had friends at other schools and didn’t want to cause hard feelings. The dean’s job hunt was a long one. At this point for you, it’s a matter of sizing up the boss’s hot buttons. Emphasize that you’ve learned a lot from her or you want to leave on good terms with him. Explain that you’ll benefit from the work experience and would like to move on to make a contribution elsewhere. Some bosses will not be reasonable. When you can’t change the reference, frame your presentation to prepare your next employer. Keep your comments short – 1 sentence, 2 at most. “Frankly, Mary and I never really clicked. She wanted more of a numbers type and I’m a creative guy.” Or “You’ll find I got along really well with my previous bosses and I still exchange Christmas cards with most of them. Hank was the only exception. He inherited me when he transferred to our division and he really needed to hire his own team.” Do you have evidence that anyone, anywhere, is making false statements about you? And are those statements causing harm? If so, make an appointment with a lawyer who specializes in employment cases. I am not a lawyer so I am not sure what is required. And some situations may be considered unique under the law. Only a lawyer can advise you on what constitutes illegal behavior and what evidence you need to take legal action. If you do get evidence of defamatory action, usually a letter from your attorney to the individual and/or the company will be enough. But these days a lot of serious reference action takes place behind closed doors on secure phone lines. If you like this posting, you'll love the Great Career Moves Ezine. And if you're going through a job search, check out my irreverent (and highly practical) job search guide. Download today and begin searching more effectively for your Great Escape job.