Putting the power of job change in YOUR hands
From the very first glimpse of your resume and beyond, impressions happen at every stage of the interview process. And that includes the reference list you give / send to the employer. So here’s an example I created of a sample reference page you can use as a template for your own references sheet.
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Hi Ronnie Ann! I have a question about supervisor references. Finally the company I’ve been interviewing with called to request references. While the position is at a lower level than my former position, it is for a company I’m eager to work with, in an area that really interests me.
They have requested references from two supervisors plus one other source. I have no problem getting three or four great references from the people I’ve worked with. But getting multiple supervisor references might be tricky.
I was with my past company for almost a decade. For half of that time, I was in a high-level managerial position, reporting directly to the President, the owner of the company. This person, despite being very intelligent, was often unstable and manipulative. And at times bordering on abusive.
While HR was aware of these issues, there was nothing that could be done about it. Finally, I couldn’t take it any more. The stressful effect of my boss’ wild mood swings and screaming sessions was the key reason I chose to leave an otherwise great company. Although I have been careful not to mention this in any hiring situations.
As such, I don’t really want to use her as a reference if I can avoid it.
I have included on my list one person who was my manager during my early years with the company, who is still there in a different capacity and would have no problem discussing my growth and contributions to the company.
Would it be feasible to also include someone who was in charge of a cross-departmental team that I was on more recently, even though technically I was at a higher job level than she was? She did manage and coordinate a number of efforts that I contributed to.
My only other option for actual supervisor references would be to call the person who managed me 10 years ago. I still keep in contact with him occasionally. But he doesn’t really have a sense of what I’m capable of now, so not sure that works.
What are your thoughts?
N.W.
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Hi N.W.!
First, congratulations on being it this enviable position. Clearly you impressed the new company enough to be asked for supervisor references. I love it when people who write me have already figured out the answer. As in your case.
The good news is that most places (except totally inflexible ones you probably wouldn’t want to work for anyway) do understand. They realize you can’t always find the exact supervisor references, especially in a case where you are taking a lower level position for the growth potential. And they also know that not every boss is an angel.
The former manager is a solid reference. Especially since he’s still there and can offer relevant references. And definitely include the person who managed the cross-departmental team, since even if you were technically higher up, technically she managed you. She’s a fine reference and can give recent feedback and legitimately comment on your ability to work with others, take direction, and also act autonomously within the team effort.
I think these are both good references. They asked for people who know you in a supervisory capacity and these both qualify. You might want to add notes on your reference list, describing the relationship under each name you provide. I always appreciate getting something like that when I do reference checks.
Assuming the reason that some supervisor references aren’t available is clear enough, you should be fine. I only push further if I get suspicious and need to dig deeper. And for the cross-departmental person, just explain that she managed you. No need to explain exact titles and hierarchy. The reference checker can ask her that later if they want.
Hopefully these supervisory references plus your other reference(s) will be enough. Most times that would satisfy any reference checker. No need to add a potential landmine if you don’t need to.
Of course, if they insist on talking to your former boss (and I kind of doubt they will), you let the new company know they weren’t thrilled you left, but will gladly provide the reference. And then you call your former boss and have the most pleasant chat you can manage, letting them know that you provided his/her name for a new job.
Odds are this won’t happen. But if it does and they provides less than favorable feedback, it still might not be a deal breaker. Most reference checkers look at the whole package, including the other references and how well they seem to know you and your work. I always did.
Still, the references you suggested should do the trick. Definitely go that route and see what happens.
Good luck getting though this part of the process. And good luck in the new job!
~ Ronnie Ann
[Post updated 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work Coach Cafe and Work To The Wise, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development and her own adventures as a serial job seeker.
If an employer is checking your references, does it mean you got the job? Not necessarily.
Does it mean you are the only one they are considering? No. Although you might be.
Does it mean they are close to making an offer? Maybe.
Basically, all you can know for sure is that it means the company is interested in you. And they want to know more about how others see you — especially former employers / bosses / supervisors.
Usually, when a company starts checking your references, if the references are good you will get an offer. But there are times when they have more than one candidate that they are strongly considering.
So they are using the references to help them decide. And you might not be their final choice. But you could be.
Well, they may not like what they hear from the references. Or they may not get enough information to resolve any doubts they have. And so they could offer it to someone else. Or decide to continue advertising and / or interviewing without turning you down yet.
Then again, they may get glowing reviews and still wind up going with someone else for any number of reasons. These are things you cannot control. Things that go on behind the scenes.
And they don’t reflect on your value to another employer. Or even your potential value to that company, as awful as it feels to be rejected. (One reason to write a polite thank you note. And stay in touch just in case.)
Usually, if a company has reached the point of checking your references and your references are good, it probably means that you will be getting an offer soon. Most employers lean toward not wanting to hurt your chances. And even helping if they can.
Exceptions to that could be that the situation ended on a really sour note. Or you did something truly illegal. But even then, employers watch carefully what they say during reference checks so as not to be sued.
Still, odds are that having your references checked will soon bring some happy news. I hope that’s the case for you.
Good luck!
[Post updated 2020]
About the author…
Ronnie Ann, founder of Work To the Wise and Work Coach Cafe, bases her real-world advice on her many years as an organizational consultant where she helped interview and hire people, added to a certificate from NYU in Career Planning & Development, as well as her many adventures as a serial job seeker.
Hi Ronnie Ann. I am a Preschool teacher wanting to return to work. Unfortunately, the places I have been employed have a huge employee turnover rate. So my former bosses don’t work there anymore. In fact, NONE of my previous directors or co-workers are currently employed at those places.
How do I handle this lack of good references on job applications? I don’t have a problem with prospective employers contacting previous employment places. But there is no one currently employed who knows me. And definitely no previous boss.
It looks pretty bad on applications if I mark “No. May not contact.” Even part-time for summer jobs I had, either the former supervisor is no longer around, the company changed names, or the company is no longer in existence.
Please, I need your expert help. I don’t want to lose any possible job opportunities due to this. And I have an excellent work history. In all cases, I left positions for good reasons, including an unforeseen medical issue, pregnancy, moved or needed full-time hours.
Thanks for your time and advice.
~ TB
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Hi TB!
First … don’t worry. There’s usually a way around a situation like this. [Read more…]