How to Always Get A Good Reference
The situation might be a little more complicated or uncomfortable If you are asked to resign or leave an employer under difficult circumstances, knowing where to turn for positive references can be a problem. Even if you do leave of your own accord, your relationship with your manager might cause you a reason for concern. Although employers are duty bound to provide a reference that is fair and accurate, this may not always result in a glowing one.Ò
You Have Choices
While an immediate supervisor or manager is always the first to come to mind, there are plenty of other potential sources for a job reference. Choices include co-workers, vendors, or customers. It is always good to ask those who have a more senior title than you or is well respected in the field to be your reference. Employed job seekers are often faced with challenge of finding in their current place of employment to provide a testimony on their behalf while keeping their search hidden from their boss.
If you are thinking about leaving your job or have left abruptly, you should create a strategy that will not burn bridges or hurt your chances of securing a new opportunity due to unfavorable references.
1. Find out your company"s reference policies
Ask to speak with someone in Human Resources to find out your employer"s policies regarding references. Many companies will only verify your date of employment, job title and function summary.
Try to settle the details of your termination with your former boss, ask if they will state the nature of your separation. The CountrysBestResumes.com, offers a reference checking service to job seekers who are unsure what their former employers might say and provide job seekers with written details of what their references said.Ò
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2. Identify potential references outside of your boss
When Julie Romano, 42, of New York, NY, was fired from her job of 12 years, she felt very uneasy about using her former boss for a reference. She contacted CountrysBestResumes.com who contacted the company for a reference. Her former boss refused to give her a reference. Tawana Wood, Chief Resume Writer at www.CountrysBesResumes.com, suggested that she use a former co-worker, respected colleague, vendor, or client. Ms. Romano chose an indirect supervisor who gave her a glowing reference. In addition, she listed the names of high profile customers, with whom she developed personal relationships. Her customers all gave wonderful insight into her ability to effectively manage her accounts.
Ms. Wood warns, however, "if you do not have a strong relationship with your customers you should not include them as references." You do not want your references to feel uncomfortable, off-guard or uninformed and in turn give you an unfavorable reference.
3. List your HR department
If you are worried your boss may say something negative about you, list a human-resources manager at your former employer.
In most cases, company policies limit human-resources professionals to releasing only your title, length of employment and salary. Many companies have strict rules and won"t divulge the details of a separation.