Ask a Manager

Aside from your current employer, do you ever say no when a job application asks, “Can we contact this manager?” I’ve heard from a few people recently who report that they answer no to that question not because they’d object to a former manager being contacted, but because they think the logistics will be difficult — […]

A reader writes: I have a question about background screenings. You’ve advised readers before that it’s okay to omit certain university degrees from their resume (especially if they’ve earned more than one) if it was going to hurt their job search. How does a background screening work? Do hiring managers check each university/degree listed one […]

A reader writes: There is at least one coworker with whom you hit it off with since day one and you trust and help each other. I have a coworker like this. Last week, this coworker took me out to lunch and told me he was planning to start interviewing, because he found that he […]

This was originally published in 2010. This post is for anyone who has ever said or secretly thought that reference-checking is a waste of time. Not long ago, I had a job candidate on the verge of being hired. He had wowed everyone in the interview and clearly had the skills to the do the job […]

In last week’s open thread, a commenter asked, “Why is a manager or supervisor always a better reference than a coworker? I ask because often I’ve had a better idea of the quality of work of my coworkers than I think the manager does.” In some cases, it can be true that your coworkers know […]

A reader writes: I’m in the final stages of interviewing for a position that I really want. I credit this in large part to your blog! They are flying me down sometime next week for a day-long marathon. Prior to that, I’ve been asked to complete a pre-employment inquiry release, which basically is a “consumer […]

A reader writes: I’m asking this question for a coworker of mine. We both work as legal assistants for a large law firm. Last fall, the firm hired an employee whom she’d referred for the same position. This employee was just fired last week (after 9 months with the firm). Apparently, the people she worked […]

A reader writes: I don’t understand job offers that are contingent on a positive reference from a current employer. Do you give notice to your current employer, thus throwing your current job into jeopardy and hoping you will be given a good reference, since otherwise you may be fired for looking elsewhere for employment? Or […]