Many companies have a policy when contacted for references concerning ex-employees. They will verify the dates of employment, position title and salary. No additional information is given, and managers are often told that they may not give references for current or former employees – positive or negative. No comments, positive or negative, on job performance, skill levels, ability to get along with others, dependability, etc. are given. In these companies, there are certainly no written references given. The comapnies leadership feel that such a policy will keep them from being sued by a former worker who may claim he or she was defamed by the company.
Here are some guidelines and points to keep in mind when having your references checked:
- Check with all potential references before listing them as a reference. Make sure that they are comfortable acting as a reference for you. Also ensure that doing so will not put them in a negative position with the company you worked at together.
- Let your references know when you have provided their contact information to a potential employer. Make sure they know what position you have applied for, and what your job duties would likely be. This will enable them to think ahead of time about how you would perform in this new role.
- Ask your references to let you know when, or even if, the employer does contact them.
- Make sure to follow up with a thank you to your references – whether you get the position or not. Not only is it the polite thing to do, this simple acknowledgement will ensure your references good will towards you!
