Could This Be the Reason You Didn't Get the Job Offer?

You've got a great executive resume and LinkedIn profile that landed you an interview for your dream job. You really felt like you aced the series of interviews, and left the final intensive panel interview room confident that an offer would be forthcoming. Or you already have a tentative offer pending a reference check. Then.... nothing.

Why This May Be Happening

Unfortunately for many, the glowing, complimentary, or at least noncommittal reference you expected to receive from one or more of your previous employers could be sabotaging you. Many assume that employers will not say anything about you except to confirm your term of employment with them, but contrary to what many think, it is not illegal for a former employer to say unflattering things about you. Worse yet, you will not be notified that this has occurred.

While some employers do have a "no-comment" policy to avoid potential lawsuits, this is definitely not true of all. Even with such a policy in force, some employees will choose to ignore it.

Some Common Misconceptions About Job References

Here are some facts you may not be aware of:

1. Half of company employees do not honor corporate policy regarding providing references.

2. If you were a victim of discrimination, sexual harassment, or wrongful termination, you are definitely at risk of negative references and even of blackballing in your industry.

(Note that if you have complained of discrimination internally or to a government agency, filed a case in court, or participated in an investigation or litigation of a discrimination claim, you have engaged in “protected activity” (some actions result in legal protection). If actions are taken against you because of your protected activity, you may have a valid retaliation claim. (Spiggle Law)

3. With just a little persistence, many managers will break company policy and speak their mind—positive or negative.

4. Almost half of all reference checks bring back a "damning with faint praise" or outright negative response.

Hand-Picking References May Not Protect You

You may think that typing up a reference list of people you believe will speak well of you is a way around this. In actuality, companies considering you will likely contact your former employers through HR channels in addition to or instead of calling the references you have given them. Negative comments from either your former superior or HR (or both) will likely be fatal to your employment prospects.

Worse yet, over the years as an executive resume writer, I have spoken with a number of executives who found out that one of the references they were most confident in was sabotaging them.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Negative References

If you find that expected job offers are not forthcoming or rescinded, or if communications with a hot job prospect inexplicably stop, you may need to check your references. As doing this yourself or having a friend or colleague try presents obvious problems, it's a good idea to have a professional reference-checking service verify exactly what your references and former employers will say about you. (Note that in most cases it is not a good idea to have your current employer contacted, unless you have told them that you are looking for a position.)

A quick Google search for "reference checking service for job seekers" will bring up a variety of companies offering this service. On the first page I found checkyourreference.com, checkmyreferences.com, and several others including jobreferences.com.

Permit me to provide a positive reference: I am familiar with JobReferences.com as the consumer website of Allison & Taylor Inc. (allisontaylor.com), a very professional company I have dealt with for at least 25 years. They've been in the business of checking references for corporations and individuals since 1982, have been favorably mentioned by influential media including The Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, The New York Times, Workplace Bullying Institute, ABC Newswire, Forbes, USA Today, Hcareers, Fortune, and MyFox News, and they are trusted and recommended by attorneys. (I receive no compensation for this recommendation.)

A Small Investment Now Could Pay Huge Dividends

My clients have confirmed that engaging the assistance of a professional reference checking firm can really pay off. I highly recommend that you find a reference checking firm you are comfortable with and learn for sure what your references are really saying about you. If it is negative and unfair, you can pursue options such as a Cease-and-Desist letter or even legal action. Most full-service reference checking services can also assist you with these and other options.

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your references may be badmouthing you, don’t delay. In the case of job references, what you don’t know definitely CAN hurt you!