Overcoming Bad References

Almost any manager will accept such a mea culpa. You can then go on to ask, "Mr. Jones, I'm looking for a new job, and I'm wondering what you might feel comfortable saying about me in a reference that won't stop me from getting a new opportunity." You have a good chance that given your recognition of wrong doing, the manager will give you if not a glowing reference, one that at least won't stand in the way of you getting a fresh start. When you do get that fresh start, it's important to have learned from your mistakes and to change the behaviors that have plagued your career up until this point.

On a practical note, we should also recognize that references don't get checked nearly as frequently as we might imagine. First of all, employers need your written permission to check your references (1972 Fair Credit Reporting Act). You normally give this permission when you fill out an application form and affix your signature to the bottom above that tiny block of type you can't read.

So not only does an employer need permission to check your references, they have to find the time to actually do it. In a post 9/11 security conscious world, employment and salary verification, professional references along with criminal and driving records are increasingly checked. Today, offers are typically made contingent upon completion of thorough background checks. It's important to know this because any fudging of employment history or untruths about your salary is cause for dismissal, and then you're in the same boat as our reader who got dismissed for cause; and just as you need to know your financial credit history, you need to verify your professional "credit."

If you are concerned that references or background checks in any of these areas might be dogging your job search, there is something you can do about it. Starting at about $65, you can get your own references checked for you. Such a check will tell you how many calls it took to get through, the tone of voice of the reference and their answers to a comprehensive professional or executive reference check.

When you check your references, 50% of the time you'll be able to set your mind at ease. If on the other hand, there is something being said about you that's clearly impeding your search, you will know what it is and be able to strategize tactics to overcome or circumvent the problem.

In cases where the reference is unwarranted, you'll have objective third party verification of the situation, and some ammunition to seek counsel, if conversation fails to serve.

When you do discover problems, move slowly, carefully and diplomatically and a good percentage of the time your reference problem can be solved. I'm available to help in these situations.

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