Your References: Are They Helping Or Harming You?

Even with outstanding interview skills and a spotless resume, getting that new position may not be as easy as it looks. With companies eager to decrease their turnover rate and hire quality employees, more and more emphasis is being placed on reference checks to determine how a candidate will fit into the company’s cultural environment. Employers are contracting third-party firms to handle their reference checks to ensure the hiring of quality employees. But what are your employers truly saying about you?

From a candidate standpoint, references should be good. They should support the candidate’s integrity, work ethic and character. And most candidates provide just that – former employers that they are confident will provide good references. But do they? With defamation and misrepresentation a very real issue in today’s workplace, are former employers volunteering any information at all?

Employers

Many employers are contracting third-party firms to handle their reference checks in order to ensure that accurate information has been obtained in an ethical and legal manner. These firms are experienced in asking about a candidate’s job-related experiences, instead of asking for opinions. And often the information that they collect is more accurate because former employers seem more at ease answering questions when they know that the candidate’s job is not on the line at that moment.

Candidates should treat their references with as much importance as their resumes. They should try to stay in touch with their former supervisors, peers and co-workers. They could still offer a good reference, even after they leave the company. However, candidates should be aware that their former employers still might not be giving them the glowing review that they had anticipated.

There are several companies who deal solely in checking the candidates’ references for them. These companies can find out what a boss is really saying about a former employee without raising suspicion. It is suggested to check these references before submitting them to a potential employer. If a candidate is having problems getting a job and does not have a reason why, they might also consider one of these services. On the average, comprehensive reference checks range from $59 - $100, depending on the depth of the questions. On the chance that a former employer is providing less than glowing remarks, these companies can also assist the candidate in obtaining legal counsel, if necessary.

Most candidates think that references will assist them in landing a job, and 95% of the time, they are probably right. But it is that 5% that could truly damage their chances. It’s important to know what kind of references your former employers are giving you.