Perhaps you can relate to this job-seeking scenario: you’ve sailed through the interviews with flying colors and have been told that the job is virtually yours after they get back to you in short order. And then…no further response from them. You politely follow up with them and are told that the company decided to go “in a different direction”. Or even worse, your calls or emails are no longer returned.
What happened, when everything was looking so positive?
Unfortunately, a very good possibility is that the prospective employer conducted a reference check(s) with your former employer and heard something unfavorable about you. Most job seekers are under the misimpression that employers cannot – and will not – say anything negative about their former employees. While this is almost universally a corporate guideline, the unfortunate reality is that countless references violate this policy on a daily basis. While such negative input typically comes from a former supervisor, Human Resources can be a problem as well – particularly if they indicate you are not eligible for rehire, or left the company under involuntary circumstances. Complicating this situation, prospective employers – for their own legal protection – will almost never tell you that a negative reference was received. You will be left wondering what the true reason for your non-hire actually was.
The good news: you can identify for yourself what your former employers are actually saying about you. Consider utilizing a firm such as Allison & Taylor, Inc. (www.allisontaylor.com), a reference checking service in business since 1984, that will interview your reference(s) and document their input word-for-word. Approximately 50% of all reference checks conducted by Allison & Taylor uncover negative input from the reference. Any such feedback can be used for remedial legal purposes or, more simply, a Cease-&-Desist letter that has an exceptionally high (99+%) documented success rate.
A negative reference is likely to continue offering the same input to every prospective employer that calls unless you detect it and take steps to stop it. Job seekers can lose many opportunities before they realize what is happening. It’s best to be proactive as it is never too early to identify – and address – a negative job reference.
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.
Click here to find out what is really being said about you.
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.