Tough Situations For Job Seekers: No References

In the latest installment of Tough Situations, we see a problem faced by job seekers fairly often, one that is frustrating pretty much because it seems like it shouldn't be a big deal ... but it is!

Mark is excited about a new job opportunity. He's interviewed, he knows he's a finalist, everything has gone exceedingly well. Until the subject of references comes up. He immediately recognizes that he's in trouble. His last employer no longer exists, and he doesn't have contact information for anyone who worked there. The previous employer has a strict policy that they only confirm employment dates. And the employer before that -- that was a long time ago, and Mark knows that everyone he worked with has moved in. In a nutshell, the only reference he is able to provide a name and phone number for is his current supervisor, who doesn't know Mark is looking for a new job. The employer Mark is talking to understands his predicament, but has made it clear that references are a critical part of their hiring process. Mark contacts a couple of respected career experts for advice...

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Jim Durbin is an employment blogger and a former recruiter. He blogs at:
http://stlrecruiting.com and http://brandstorming.com

The key to providing references is knowing what the employer is looking for. If Mark is in sales or has a lot of contact with clients outside the company, these names are often better references than direct supervisors. He should list the last contact info for the company that went out of business and the company who only confirms hire dates. Often times, references are outsourced to a third party who just checks off the box when it comes to references. For his current employer, he should not provide the name or number, and explicitly make it clear in writing that contacting his present employer is not authorized. In the future, Mark needs to do a better job of keeping up with references going back three jobs or seven years, whichever is shorter. When it comes to references, even those from a co-worker are better than nothing.

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Heather Mundell is a life and career coach who helps professionals decide on their next career move. Formerly a director of human resources, she now coaches individuals to discover and pursue careers that align with their vales, aspirations and desired way of life.
Dream Big Coaching Services
http://www.dreambigcoaching.com
206.276.7763
heather@dreambigcoaching.com
life@work, the blog about finding career happiness: http://dbcs.typepad.com

Since Mark's only option for a reference is his current supervisor, he needs to talk with the supervisor ASAP. But first Mark should find out from the prospective employer if references are the last hoops in the hiring process. Before he talks to his supervisor he should feel as confident as he can that an offer is at hand.

Mark should be positive with his supervisor about his experience at the company and explain why this new opportunity is a good fit for him. This would be a good time for them to discuss the timeline for departing. For instance if they're at a critical juncture in a project, Mark might offer to ask for a later start date if he is offered the job.

Mark could then potentially ask his supervisor's manager, his peers and his subordinates (if applicable) to serve as references as well.

Also, if Mark has made copies of his past (positive!) performance reviews at the company that no longer exists, offering these would be better than no information.

Comments

[kristen]

Hey, that is really good advice about keeping track of previous employers from the last seven years or 3 jobs, whichever is shorter. As a regular reader of Brandstorming, I know Jim Durbin knows his stuff and he's a great guy too.
Thanks for the post!

[Adam Potts]

I'm looking for a job at the moment. And I'm having great trouble with filling in the 'References' part of the form#s#. I lost contact with all my old employees and I left one because I felt i was treated unfairly, which was stupid of me because they then put that they fired me. So I have good skills, i'm a hard worker but I find it very hard to get work...

[CAROL]

Hello,
Ive been doing admin work at a doctors office for the past yr, i left because i was not getting along with the young lady who worked next to me, and now i cant get a refference from this employer. the job before that was only as a temp. and they do not give refferences.
What should i tell them when i go on interviews in the refference section? and when they ask me face to face?
thanks

[Commenter]

Telling someone what they should have done in the past about references does not solve their current problems. In truth, they risk becoming 'unemployable' == unless they lie -- which is frowned upon; but they have to make a living; and bagging grocieries won't work if they are deemed, 'overqualified'.

I suggest that employers need to take a good look at their eveluation processes -- for it is the employee with the stellar reference and the impeccable credit who sprays the office with bullets when they are perturbed to the extreme degree.

[Pamela]

Commenter on March 26, 2009 is absolutely right! That doesn't help now! There also seems to be no help for recent housewives who need a PAID job now and the way things are going these days, is probably going to starve to death except for Food Stamps. This is what should go on the tombstone: Bachelor's Degreed, Advanced Computer Skills, Typing 94 words per minute, and Died from Lack of Recent Work References.
What a way to go.

[Scherazade]

For the teen and others entering the workforce... I would start with a volunteer job in a field of interest, practicing the skills you would like to use in your target job. Work consistently for them to let them know your work ethic and skills first hand. This can be done evenings and weekends while you keep another job (anything) to pay the bills. If you do well, you can get references from the organization and colleagues. It is not an immediate fix but it will be effective in starting to build or re-build your network and skill set.