The Seven Deadly Myths of Job References

ASK ANNIE
The Seven Deadly Myths of Job References
Here's how to make sure past employers—the ones you didn't like—don't
undermine your job search.
Oct 25 2005
By Anne Fisher
Fortune.com

Dear Annie:
Please settle an argument. Two years ago, I left a big company to take
a job with a startup, and it turned out to be a disaster. The
management was chaotic, there were no systems in place, and everybody
was into poisonous office politics. After about nine months, I
couldn't take it anymore and quit, on very bad terms with my boss. I
went back to my old employer, but now my whole division here is being
outsourced, and I'm job hunting again. Several interviewers have asked
me for references from my last three jobs. I know I can get good
recommendations from my current employer, but not from the Startup
from Hell. I'd like to just leave that whole experience off my resume
(and my list of references) and pretend I never worked there. But my
wife tells me I'd be making a mistake, because prospective employers
will find out anyway, and then I'll just look like a liar. Is she
right?
—Honest Abe

Dear Abe:
Absolutely. "This notion so many people have, that you can just
neglect to mention a job that didn't work out, or a boss who disliked
you, is one of what I call the seven deadly myths of job references,"
says Heidi Allison-Shane, managing director of Jobreferences.com, a
reference-checking service based in Rochester Hills, Mich. "The fact
is that prospective employers can, and do, get references without your
giving them, or even knowing who is being contacted." Companies do
something called a Social Security check, which will reveal everyplace
you've ever worked, so leaving a bad experience off your resume will
just make them wonder what you're trying to hide.

What should you do instead? "The best defense is a good offense," says
Allison-Shane. "First, try to work it out." If you possibly can,
swallow your pride and take your old boss out to lunch. Tell him or
her that you would like to bury the hatchet, and say that you want to
be able to give his or her name as a reference. If that doesn't go
well, or if you just can't bring yourself to do it, then you'll have
to do some explaining in job interviews. "It isn't that unusual to
have philosophical differences, or a personality clash, with a former
boss," Allison-Shane notes. "But you need to warn hiring managers that
they probably won't get a glowing recommendation from this person, so
at least they're prepared. A negative surprise can really hurt you."

Omitting a bad experience from your resume is just one of the seven
deadly job reference myths that can cost you a job offer. Here is
Allison-Shane's list of the six others:

Myth #1: Companies' lawyers won't allow them to say anything critical
of a former employee.

Fact: While many employers do have formal policies dictating that only
title, dates of employment, and eligibility for rehire can be
discussed, "people do break the rules every day," notes Allison-Shane.
About half of the employees she does reference checks on for her
clients get badmouthed by their employers, despite their
mum's-the-word policies.

Myth #2: Most companies direct reference calls to the HR department,
and those people won't say anything bad.

Fact: Alas, HR doesn't have to say anything overtly critical about you
to get their point across. Even a less-than-enthusiastic tone of voice
can work against you. Also, HR people routinely disclose whether
ex-employees are eligible for rehire. If they mention that you're not
eligible, that will speak volumes to a prospective employer.

Myth #3: It's best to list references on your resume, so they get
distributed to every potential employer.

Fact: "Your references should be treated with kid gloves. Provide them
only when asked," says Allison-Shane. "The last thing you want is for
your references to be deluged with calls from too many companies, who
may or may not have a real interest in hiring you."

Myth #4: Once you're hired, references don't matter anymore.

Fact: "Many employment agreements and contracts stipulate that you're
being hired with a 90-day probation period. During that time, not only
are they evaluating your performance, they may also be checking your
background and references," Allison-Shane says. "If the results aren't
as good as they expected, they have the legal right to fire you."

Myth #5:I f you sued your former employer they can't say anything
negative about you.

Fact: Ha! While most employee-employer disputes are either settled in
arbitration processes or in out-of-court settlements in a manner that
prohibits both parties from discussing them, that doesn't mean your
former employer can't find ways to respect the letter of that
agreement while violating the spirit of it. "Do not put it past them
to find a way to take a shot at you," says Allison-Shane. For example,
an HR person might tell someone calling for a reference, "Hold on
while I call our legal department and find out what we're allowed to
say about Mr. Jones." Ouch. "Most employers are uncomfortable with
hiring anyone who's had a legal battle with a former employer," notes
Allison-Shane. "So that's a real red flag."

Myth #6: Once you have a job, there's no need to stay in touch with
your references.

Fact: Wrong! "Call them periodically to keep them updated on how
you're doing. Make sure you thank them for their time, and acknowledge
their help by treating them to lunch, dinner, or a thoughtful gift,"
says Allison-Shane. "Take good care of your references. They are
valuable assets you'll need throughout your working life."

Want more tips on making sure your references are lifelong allies?
Check out Allison-Shane's free online seminar at
www.allisontaylor.com.

Send questions to askannie@fortunemail.com.

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From: annieadm@TIMEINC.NET