References

Job separation: most people cringe at the very idea, although most of us have experienced it. And to be fair, it’s not always a bad thing. Oftentimes, it occurs for a positive reason; the advancement of a career or a movement to “greener pastures.”

Unfortunately, there is also the circumstance Read more...

Workplace bullying has become a hot-button topic within the media over the past few years, with statistics suggesting that up to 35% of workforce employees have fallen victim to this alarming trend.

Some suggest that bullying victims are simply people who “can’t take the pressure” at work. Read more...

Almost all of us can relate to the experience – when filling out a job application you are asked to sign a consent form, authorizing a prospective employer to conduct a background check on you.

Your life – including credit history, credit scores, driving record, etc. – has become Read more...

Donna Edwards (not her real name) appeared to be at an employment “dead end”. Unemployed and seeking a new job, she had lost numerous promising job opportunities in her medical-related field even though her feedback from interviews had been stellar. Prospective employers would indicate Read more...

References matter. The most important reference is that of your former boss. In fact, they may give a winning push to landing that job or they may sabotage the position for you.

AllisonTaylor outlines a five-step strategy to ensure the best possible outcome during the job hunting progress.

1. Make a list of your former bosses – Have you stayed in touch? Was there bad blood? Before you go on that interview offer an olive branch.
2. Make a secondary list – A mentor, coach, former boss, or manager is a great place to start. Job hunters should have a few references available at a moment’s notice, take the time when you craft your resume to craft this document too.
3. Contacting references in advance and inquiring about their willingness to actually be a reference is an important step.
4. Verify that you have all information for your references listed correctly; the correct spelling of their name, current title, and up-to-date contact information.
5. Remember reference letters obtained really don’t matter, unless the company goes out of business and none of your people are to be found. Everyone knows it’s very easy to make up letterhead and a reference.

Etiquette Read more...

Many job seekers are aware that when a former employer offers negative input about them, such commentary can be illegal. Some examples include discrimination, defamation of character, and wrongful discharge. But what happens when their negative commentary isn’t illegal according to state Read more...

Have you ever failed to get a job because your background check or references have come back with an unfavorable report? Or worse, have you gotten the job and then been let go because the negative results came back after you’d already been hired?

“It happens more frequently than you’d Read more...

If you’re like most job seekers, your understanding is that your former employers are only allowed to confirm your previous employment dates and title. Certainly they cannot, and will not, offer negative commentary about you as it would be a violation of corporate policy and (perhaps) be illegal Read more...

Negotiating a fair severance package is common when a person involuntarily leaves a company. What many people fail to realize, however, is it’s just as important to negotiate a fair professional reference for use in landing one’s next position.

This is one of the biggest blunders people Read more...

Does this scenario sound familiar?  In your search for new employment, you’ve done your homework in refining your resume and presentation skills and have perhaps even “aced” an interview (or two) in spades.  A prospective job offer is within reach; one of the last hurdles remaining, Read more...

If you’re looking to change or improve your employment status, reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor has identified 5 key employment trends for you to consider during your employment search.

1. Employers are using social media and technology to assess your references.

Consider your social Read more...