References

Most job seekers are under the impression that former employers are only allowed to confirm an employee’s job title and previous employment dates.  They certainly cannot offer a negative commentary about you… it would be a violation of corporate policy and (perhaps) be illegal as well. Right?

Unfortunately, Read more...

Consider this scenario: Some of your readers have gotten confirmation – perhaps through a reference-checking firm like www.allisontaylor.com – that a key reference(s) is relating negative things about their employment with the company. Worse still, this reference is not one that can be easily Read more...

Most of us can relate to this scenario: when completing an employment application, you are asked to identify a number of references (typically 3-5) for prospective employers to contact.  In order to put your best foot forward, you choose these references wisely and list those whom will provide the Read more...

Perhaps you’ve experienced this scenario: your recent job interviews have been very promising, and your prospective new employer has indicated you either have the job, or will have it pending their reference checks of your former employers.  However, Read more...

Information from Allison & Taylor’s extensive database provides some interesting employment information. September is when job hunting (and hiring) begins in earnest after the lazy days of summer.

The company’s research indicates that there are better (and worse) times to start your 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...

If you’re ready 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...

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...

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, the Read more...

As we approach the midway point in the calendar year, reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor has identified 5 key employment trends that job seekers should consider during their employment search for the remainder of the year.

1. References have become more, not less, valuable with former supervisors becoming increasingly critical. The overall job market remains tight and a candidate’s job references will almost surely tip the scales – in their favor, or against them. Former supervisors have increasingly become the “go to” references for prospective employers who have realized that they are far more likely to give candid feedback about a candidate than more traditional HR references.
2. Employers are increasingly conducting reference checks earlier in the job screening process. Traditionally, employers have conducted their reference checks at the end of the candidate screening process after the interviewing process has been concluded. However, an increasing number of employers are deciding that it is more efficient to conduct the reference checks prior to the interview process. The rationale: screen out candidates with a negative reference(s) prior to taking up the valuable time of managers in what sometimes becomes a labor-intensive interview process.
3. Maintaining close contact with your references has become increasingly important due to demographic shifts in the workplace. Many people in upper-level management are “boomers” who are now hitting retirement age. While this translates to more employment opportunities at all levels of management, it also means that keeping in close contact with your references becomes increasingly important. If that key reference retires, and you don’t have his or her current contact information, it could be detrimental to your job seeking process.
4. Staying in touch with former employers can be crucial as “boomerang” hiring intensifies. Companies that may have had to lay workers off in recent years are now looking to increase their numbers, and many are more than willing to rehire old employees. This is true for a number of reasons, e.g. the employers know what type of employee they are getting based on past experience, the rehired employee may have learned some new skills in the interim, etc.
5. Effectively formatting one’s references can give a candidate a “leg up” on the competition. Savvy job seekers are modernizing their reference lists to make a powerful statement of their qualifications. An effective reference list will identify those attributes the references can attest to, something that will make the prospective employer’s job easier – and is guaranteed to reflect the job seeker in a proactive light. (See one such sample format here.)

For further details on services and procedures please visit  Read more...