It’s an all-too-common scenario: a fully qualified candidate fails to get a job because their background check or references come back with an unfavorable report.
Could things be worse? Unfortunately, yes. Consider this circumstance: You get the job, and are then unceremoniously let go because negative reference results came back after you’d already been hired. Imagine the humiliation- personal, and professional- that comes with a company representative arriving at your desk with the statement, “Sorry, you’re done here. I have to escort you off the premises.”
Many people assume once they’ve been hired, references don’t play a significant role. “Not true”, says Jeff Shane, Vice President of Allison & Taylor Reference Checking, a firm that offers professional reference checking services. “People are walked off the job due to references more frequently than you’d believe. We’ve heard more than one story of how people were settling into new jobs, only to be removed from the position because of the responses their references provided.”
Sadly, the often-overlooked “last phase” of the hiring process – checking the applicant’s references – has undone many a candidate.
What most job seekers don’t realize is that many companies don’t conduct their reference checks until after you’ve started the job. Companies have a 90-day “probationary” period that allows them to terminate your employment relationship at will, and many use this time to complete all the hiring paperwork and checks dictated by company policy.
Before you lose that perfect job due to an unfavorable reference, take the time to ensure that your references are responding appropriately to employment inquiries. The simplest and most effective way is to conduct a reference check(s) through a professional reference checking company like Allison & Taylor. If a reference check confirms negative or inappropriate feedback, their documented response gives you the foundation for recourse to prevent further career damage.
One such action is the option of a Cease & Desist letter, which can help ensure that the transgressor will stop their actions out of fear of corporate reprisal.
In offering this service, Allison & Taylor works with attorneys well-versed in employment law who will review the client’s report from a negative reference, speak directly with them to discuss protocol and options, and then issue the letter to the organization where the negative commentary arose. As part of the overall fee, Allison & Taylor then re-conducts the original reference check to determine if the negative reference is continuing to offer harmful commentary. This rarely turns out to be the case – the documented “success rate” of this letter is extremely high.
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.
Click here to find out what is really being said about you.
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.