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 as well.
If this were your assumption, you would do well to think again.
While it’s true that many companies do have reference policies in place that prohibit them from giving out anything but limited, prescribed information, many do not, says Allison & Taylor Reference Checking. Additionally, even companies with reference policies in place cannot ensure that their employees will necessarily abide by such rules. As a consequence, while countless job hunters feel secure in the idea that a former employer will only provide their position title and dates of employment, there’s a very good chance that former employers may offer considerably more than this – including unfavorable commentary that may ensure you’re not hired again anytime soon.
Here are some actual examples of reference responses documented by Allison & Taylor:
We would like to verify that (the candidate) held the position (title) from (dates), is this correct?
- “He was an account executive, not a Senior V.P.”
- “His name doesn’t ring a bell.”
- “I am not allowed to say anything about this person as they were fired.”
Some references will refuse to rank a past employee due to an unfavorable impression:
- “No comment – they could not do anything correctly in the position they held with us.”
- “Let’s save time. Basically, you could rank them inadequate in all areas.”
When questioned about strengths and weaknesses:
- “I cannot think of any strengths, only weaknesses.”
- “Weaknesses seem to stick in my mind … I’d have to really think about any strengths.”
- “I’d rather not comment – you can take that however you want.”
Come back next time for more examples of what people have said when asked to provide a reference.
To find out more about reference checking, please visit Allison & Taylor.
Here is what on satisfied Allison and Taylor, Inc client had to say after using our reference checking services:
“This is an excellent service in the best 79 dollars spent in a while. Thank you for your service and I will recommend you to my friends!”
Don’t take for granted that your past employer will only confirm dates of employment and job title when contacted for a reference. Find out what they are saying.