Ever lost a job offer because of your reference?

[lily1289]

After having been out of the workforce for awhile, i was surprised to find out that most employers nowadays require 3, 4 or sometimes 5 references! So my questions are: do employers really have the time to check all of your references? If they do, have you lost a job offer after they've checked your reference? And another thing i'm curious, have you gotten a job offer without getting your references checked?

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Local employers I have had contact with do an "amalgam" style of reference check, where you must supply email addresses for your references and they are sent a website to respond to questions about the job seeker. This is completely anonymous for them and the responses are compiled into an overall impression by a computer program.

[Seas]

I was called as a reference for my friend.

I haven' t lost a job for this. I got the first and only job I applied for. I don't even remember who's I listed as references. I don't know if anybody called them .

[chicagonurse2b]

My first job in social service checked my references after a great interview. The manager that wanted to hire me, told me that my main. Reference was a bad one. The phone contact boarder lined strange. (I mentioned the general oddness of the facility during the interview. But I had nothing particularly bad to say about them) She also said that had I not also listed two coworkers that gave me beaming reviews she may not have hired me. Due to my former coworkers and my mentioning general strangeness in an unbiased way, she ignored the bad reference. L* is an amazing lady. I still keep In contact with her today. :)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Reading this post brings up questions for me also. I went on three interviews for a position in an ob/gyn clinic. My first interview was with HR, then the clinic manager and director of operations, and last the physicians themselves. I thought everything went great but I did not get the job:confused:. And yes, I did send thank you notes. Would it be inappropiate to contact HR and see if I had anything negative in my references or background check? I have a clean record as far as I know. I just would like to know so that I can correct whatever is wrong before I move on in my job search!

I don't know if HR would be willing to tell you that info. You could call them and ask...but given how swamped HRs are lately, you may not get an answer from them. Or it may not be their policy to tell you.

If you're concerned, you could always ask your references directly what they may have said. You can also order a background report for yourself--they cost around $30.

Last, it's very possible that you didn't get the job not because anything was wrong with you--you could have been great across the board--but because they found another candidate that for whatever reason they felt was the better fit.

[CBsMommy]

A long time ago, before nursing even entered my mind, I had listed a past manager as a reference. There was nothing wrong with our relationship either during work or when I left. I worked my behind off for him, even on the weekends, gave him 3 weeks notice, never called in, was a great employee who earned bonuses regularly, etc. I move forward, have two great interviews, neither of which hire me at a time I should have easily been able to find a job. So I decide to have my father call my references to check and this manager spoke so ill of me, it makes me mad to this day!

So, yes, I've not been hired because of my reference. If you suspect this is an issue I wouldn't list that person and find someone else instead. Good luck to you!!!

[79Tango]

FYI: If you sign an "information release" they may be speaking to people and checking references you did not list.

[PlanZ]

Thanks Meriwhen! I think I can get a response because I have the HR person's office number and email address. She's responded quickly to email in the past. I just need to figure out how I'm going to go about it.

CBsMommy, you've given me an idea! Just need to find someone who's brave enough to pose as a potential employer and call my references. For one of my past jobs I wish I could list my coworkers, but I don't trust them. Some of the applications even tell you not to list coworkers or friends. But I can get creative if necessary. LOL

[caliotter3]

I will still list the supervisors/NM even if the place closed down. IMO, it is not my responsibility to track them down. Maybe you can write next to the facility's name that the place is now closed. Good luck!

I started doing this when I realized that places of employment changed addresses more than once. If it was on Craig Street when I worked there, technically, I would be changing reality to put Jones Street because the company moved there 12 years after I left the employer. Did not make sense that I would have to keep up with changes that happened years after my time, so I wised up and stopped trying.

[caliotter3]

A long time ago, before nursing even entered my mind, I had listed a past manager as a reference. There was nothing wrong with our relationship either during work or when I left. I worked my behind off for him, even on the weekends, gave him 3 weeks notice, never called in, was a great employee who earned bonuses regularly, etc. I move forward, have two great interviews, neither of which hire me at a time I should have easily been able to find a job. So I decide to have my father call my references to check and this manager spoke so ill of me, it makes me mad to this day!

So, yes, I've not been hired because of my reference. If you suspect this is an issue I wouldn't list that person and find someone else instead. Good luck to you!!!

This happened to me and I've posted about it here before. My manager told me I could use him as a reference. A potential employer that did not hire me informed me that this person was slandering me. My attorney contacted the employer with a cease and desist letter. Who would think that a person that you thought you had done an excellent job for, would stoop so low?

[awheat]

Here is a thing to think about: when I asked my manager for a reference (left on good terms) she told me the facility would not allow her to give any references. I thought this was bogus, but checked it out and no, the manager could get in trouble for doing so. I have co-workers who are willing to help, but a recent application demanded references be from previous managers (did not get called in for interview). So what do you do - ask a prospective employer if they can give references if, after you get the job, you chose to move on 5 years from now?

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

when I asked my manager for a reference (left on good terms) she told me the facility would not allow her to give any references. So what do you do - ask a prospective employer if they can give references if, after you get the job, you chose to move on 5 years from now?

When your manager said that she can't serve as a reference, she may have been referring to the fact that she, by law or company policy, can't say much about you when they call. This practice is becoming increasingly common because, in many cases, employers are afraid of being sued, so they can only say: "yes, XX worked here from XX date to XX date. and yes she is eligible for rehire or no she is not". I'd list my former employer as a reference anyway, if this is the case. And come with a list of references from people who are willing to speak about you.

This is just general job hunting advice and my :twocents:

[student63]

I think they do have time to check because I have gone thru a similar experience