Ask job references what they intend to say about you

If you applied for a job with me and I called your former employers to check you out, what would they tell me? You have no idea? Most likely it’s because you didn’t ask.

By Andrea Kay
Gannett News Service

Yes, that’s something you can — and should — do. Like many workers, you might be afraid to discuss it, or you might figure, "Why bother?"

But it’s a mistake not to sit down with your human-resources representative and boss to agree on what information will be shared when potential employers call.

Before you part ways with a company — whether or not you’re leaving on good terms — you need to ask, "What will you say when someone calls to inquire about me?" You may even want to get it in writing.

Doing this can:

• Give you more peace of mind that they won’t bad-mouth you.

• Better ensure that you and your former employer have a consistent story about your performance and departure.

• Make you less likely to speculate and worry that what your old company is saying is the reason for your difficult job search.

• Make it less likely that a former employer will say nasty things about you.

Of course there are no guarantees on what someone will say. And tone of voice — even a pause — can imply something negative without actually saying it. But don’t assume you cannot influence what might be said.

Some companies don’t give out information because they don’t want to be liable. Their practice is to confirm the person worked there, their title and dates of employment. Others will verify last salary if the correct salary is quoted to them, but that’s it.

I’ve also heard of some companies asking potential employees to sign a release allowing their past company to talk about them.

Unfortunately, most workers do not discuss what will be said before they leave. Instead, I see more and more people hiring reference-checking companies, where someone poses as a would-be employer to find out what an ex-boss is saying.

It may not always be ideal or even possible, but addressing the issue head-on — even after you leave — could open the way for a mutual agreement between you and your former employer. Then you could focus on what’s just as important: people you do want to act as your reference.

You might erroneously assume someone you’ve known in the past will say glowing things about you. Sometimes it’s been so long since you’ve made contact, they wouldn’t feel comfortable acting as a reference.

Instead, pick up the phone and ask people with whom you have mutual admiration to be references. Update them on what you’re looking for and what you’ve been up to. Tell them whom they might hear from.

There’s a lot you don’t have control over in a job search. But you can decrease the snags and influence how things go by having constructive conversations with former employers up front and potential references before you need them.

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