references

Everything you need to know about job references — who to ask to speak on your behalf, what they’ll be asked, what to do about a bad reference, and more.

how can I get out of being a reference?

A reader writes: I know you tackled the reference for someone when you can’t give a good reference, but I really felt that this might be something you’ve come across and you could provide a bit of insight. I am a teacher for a local college. I teach part time to professionals upgrading their skills. […]

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company won’t give references

A reader writes: I retired early from my last job, because of the new technology and, therefore, they were doing a reduction in force. I took several years off to update my skills and to do some renovating of my home myself. Now I feel qualified to work as a administrative assistant but the company […]

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references and second interviews

A reader writes: I interviewed for a position at a local university last week and felt that it went very well. I was shocked though the following Monday when one of my references called me and told me the hiring manager had called her and asked her about my attendance. (My reference is my former […]

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dealing with a bad job reference

A reader writes: Earlier this year, I was part of a mass lay-off from a large corporation. At my exit interview, which was less than 5 minutes long, my manager assured me that she would give me a positive reference, and that I need not contact her to ask each time I gave her name […]

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reference requests when you can’t give a good one

I love to serve as a reference for most former employees. But I’ve also occasionally been asked to be a reference for employees who I can’t honestly recommend. Here are some ways to handle reference requests when you can’t recommend the candidate: 1. Whenever possible, warn the employee in advance that you won’t be able […]

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