The employment market, now more than ever, requires that job seekers create a flawless employment profile. Resumes and interview skills are always critical; but just how important are job references?
The short answer? Crucial. The response a potential employer gets from a reference can make the difference between an applicant getting a job….or losing it.
Top 5 Reasons You Should Have Your References Checked
- The company’s comment policy may not be what they think it is. A countless number of our clients confidently say, “They won’t tell you anything, it’s against policy.” Many people assume that an employer can’t or won’t say anything, and are unpleasantly surprised to find out this is not the case. Employers frequently say unflattering things about former employees.
- Their reference may not be saying what they expect. A lukewarm reference can be just as damaging as a negative one. If your reference is anything less than glowing, they are damaging your chances of landing that job, not helping it. They need to know that that person is doing everything possible to make a positive impression for them. Otherwise, it’s time to rethink their references.
- Their information may not match the HR records. In many instances, we find that the employer has different employment dates, position title, or supervisor listed that what the employee has presented. This type of discrepancy may suggest that they are being less than truthful about their former position’s title or responsibilities.
- They may have been omitted from the HR records entirely. This happens more often than people might think, especially in the case of mergers, where not all records make the transfer into a new system. It’s also frequently the case with the self-employed; many companies do not hold records for a contractor in their HR system. It’s not a good thing when an employer calls and is told that there is no record of someone ever having worked for their company.
- Their reference contact may no longer work for the company. Many job-seekers make the mistake of not staying in close contact with the person they intend to use for a reference. Your readers need to be sure that that person is still there to respond to inquiries. If the reference is no longer there, a reference checker may be shuffled though the system and end up with someone who won’t cast them in such a positive light.
Throughout Allison & Taylor’s 30 years as a reference checking and reference consulting company, we have heard it all… discrimination in many forms, references explaining the relationships / sleeping habits of former employees, HR Managers refusing to comment until the “litigation is complete” and Board Members who say “Are you sure he listed me as a reference?”
Consider what one Allison and Taylor, Inc. client had to say after using our professional reference checking service:
“I have already recommended your company to friends of mine and I would definitely use your services in the future”
For more information click here.