You could also try to find your reference on social media networks. When you do agree to give a reference, ask the candidate for assistance. Here’s what to do when a former employee asks you for a reference (and you don’t want to give it). So do your best to find good references who can be contacted. When Someone Asks You for a Reference ... “If you don’t have enough information to speak off-the-cuff, or you worked with the person a long time ago, request an … Instead, offer an email contact or provide a good translation of a written reference.

Contact all of your references in advance to ensure (a) you have the correct contact info; (b) the person is willing to provide a positive reference; and (c) the person will be available in the next few weeks. Then, GC should step in. Others hire a reference checking service to discover what past employers are saying about them. That being said, don’t blow anyone off.

Some companies won’t give out home phone numbers. ... this is a positive sign. There’s an easy out if she worked for you more than a couple of years ago: You can explain to the reference-checker (or the employee herself) that you don’t feel equipped to be a reference since her work for you was so long ago and you can’t remember the types of nuances that reference-checkers are looking for.

You could also show employers a portfolio with examples of your work. Use the references sample (find link below) if you don’t already know how to create a professional reference sheet. One of my former employers doesn't give reference nor do they do employment verifications.

Here's What to Do Having people to vouch for your work ethic and character is important.

Just find someone who managed you, who remembers you, who liked you, and who’s willing to do you a solid by taking a call and saying something nice. I can’t honestly give her a good reference. 2.

Respond to someone’s text in a kind and reasonably-timed manner.

Employers don’t often phone references outside the country. Make sure you don't have references to the reject and resolve functions, and not just stop referencing the promise.

If you go too far back you’ll probably have to remind the reference about the tall buildings you leaped in a single bound, and various feats of strength you exhibited on the job.

I prefer that requests be sent by email so I can be sure to have the particulars. So, even if you’re ready to say only good things, it is best to check with your human resources department. Use other people but not your mother to vouch for your good name.

(Unless the person is a stalker, in which case, please do not respond. I still give their information when asked for references and I still email them every single time I give their information out (2x this month) but, I must admit it unnerves me that they don’t respond to any of my emails (or haven’t in almost a year). Loading…. Thanks for the A2A, Katherine!

Double check the contact info.

And authors who don't want to fix them, don't think they're wrong, whatever.

They do jobs you don't want to, so that you don't have to. When your references have retired or moved. Provide backup references in case your primary references cannot be reached. To get a job, you also need people who can sing your praises, people who can attest that you’re a star employee. If they're due very soon (within a couple of days), I would just ping them again, and specifically ask them to respond to your email so that you know that they received it. And prepare each one for the calls so they will be more likely to take the time to get back to the employer – and give you a reference you can be proud of. I do so care about your safety here.)

Put simply: You need professional references. These recommendations will help you respond reasonably to reference checking requests while protecting the legitimate interests of your company and your current employees. Unfortunately, “references are often an afterthought for job seekers,” says Andrea Kay, a career consultant based in Cincinnati. Members of your house of worship.

To find out more about portfolios, see Using a … How bad is it if one of my references didn't pick up the phone when my potential employer was calling? If they don't get a response in the time frame that they deem appropriate, they'll ask you for additional references. You don't always need former co-workers to be references.

When your references are from outside Canada.

Tough one. 3. IMPORTANT TIP: If you have no references at this moment, please go create some as soon as possible by volunteering or by taking a part-time or temp job. If your references don’t return calls or emails from the hiring manager, it’s going to reflect badly on you, and in a competitive job market, you cannot afford to have anything negative to happen to you if you hope to receive a job offer. Fear of reprisal and lawsuits keep many employers from responding at all. Don't Have Professional References? apatters on June 28, 2018 There's an alternative though, which is to do all of your fulltime recruiting in-house, and hire a software development agency instead of a recruiting agency to fill the gaps when you're short on employees. People What to Do When a Bad Employee Asks for a Reference When you don't have much good to say about a former employee, what should you tell reference checkers?