Well, you CAN call them, I'd just prefer you didn't.
January 15, 2012 3:04 PM Subscribe
Need quick advice on listing past supervisors and references on a job application.
I'm filling out an online application for a Team Lead job (it would be my first time having direct reports) and the form asks me to list my last 4 employers - for me, that's my entire work history. Two of the required fields are "Supervisor" and "May we contact this employer for a reference?" I'm currently consulting and my contract is ending soon, so I am listing the consultancy and the client separately and giving them permission to contact both for a reference - that's two references. There is also a separate place to list 3 references of my choice, and I have all 3 lined up (one of them is a current supervisor, so I really am giving them 4 references between the current supervisors and the 3 choose-your-own references).
But there's the issue of my first two employers. The first one by policy absolutely does not give out references other than to confirm dates of employment - so I'm going to say "do not contact" for that first employer. Is that the right response?
The second employer is stickier. I liked the place and I think I did my job well, but I wasn't 100% engaged by the end and left after 11 months for personal (relocation) reasons. I'm not embarrassed of my time there - I think I did good work and had a legitimate reason for leaving quickly, and if asked about it during my interview I'm confident in my answers. But I'm really not sure what my old supervisor will say. My relationship with her was basically work-cordial. We would say good morning and make jokes, but it was all being nice on the surface when everyone else in the office tried to really be her buddy. Also, I'm worried that my departure might have left a negative impression. I asked for increasing amounts of remote work time (working from another state where my SO lived), and kind of disengaged and only did the bare minimum for a month or so until I finally turned in my 2 weeks notice (1 of which was a remote work week!). I contacted this manager recently to ask if the new employer could contact her, and her businesslike reply said "yes, but there are some things I legally can't discuss". (I assume she means "can't discuss for reasons of legal liability.")
So I'm having trouble deciding whether to give permission to contact my second employer. I really don't know what that former supervisor thinks of me, and if I ticked her off with how I handled my departure. On one hand, I feel like I should say "yes, contact" because saying "no" twice looks like I'm hiding something. On the other hand, I'm already providing 4 references (as I said, two current supervisors, and three other references, one of whom is one of those two current supervisors) - that seems like enough and the bigger risk is my old supervisor giving me a lackluster reference.
So what do you think MeFites - should I say "do contact" for that second employer, or "do not contact?"
I'm filling out an online application for a Team Lead job (it would be my first time having direct reports) and the form asks me to list my last 4 employers - for me, that's my entire work history. Two of the required fields are "Supervisor" and "May we contact this employer for a reference?" I'm currently consulting and my contract is ending soon, so I am listing the consultancy and the client separately and giving them permission to contact both for a reference - that's two references. There is also a separate place to list 3 references of my choice, and I have all 3 lined up (one of them is a current supervisor, so I really am giving them 4 references between the current supervisors and the 3 choose-your-own references).
But there's the issue of my first two employers. The first one by policy absolutely does not give out references other than to confirm dates of employment - so I'm going to say "do not contact" for that first employer. Is that the right response?
The second employer is stickier. I liked the place and I think I did my job well, but I wasn't 100% engaged by the end and left after 11 months for personal (relocation) reasons. I'm not embarrassed of my time there - I think I did good work and had a legitimate reason for leaving quickly, and if asked about it during my interview I'm confident in my answers. But I'm really not sure what my old supervisor will say. My relationship with her was basically work-cordial. We would say good morning and make jokes, but it was all being nice on the surface when everyone else in the office tried to really be her buddy. Also, I'm worried that my departure might have left a negative impression. I asked for increasing amounts of remote work time (working from another state where my SO lived), and kind of disengaged and only did the bare minimum for a month or so until I finally turned in my 2 weeks notice (1 of which was a remote work week!). I contacted this manager recently to ask if the new employer could contact her, and her businesslike reply said "yes, but there are some things I legally can't discuss". (I assume she means "can't discuss for reasons of legal liability.")
So I'm having trouble deciding whether to give permission to contact my second employer. I really don't know what that former supervisor thinks of me, and if I ticked her off with how I handled my departure. On one hand, I feel like I should say "yes, contact" because saying "no" twice looks like I'm hiding something. On the other hand, I'm already providing 4 references (as I said, two current supervisors, and three other references, one of whom is one of those two current supervisors) - that seems like enough and the bigger risk is my old supervisor giving me a lackluster reference.
So what do you think MeFites - should I say "do contact" for that second employer, or "do not contact?"
Response by poster: Thanks - so apparently I should say "go ahead and contact," even if the employer won't give useful information. I'll believe it if that's the consensus.
Bonus question: what if I haven't asked my old supervisor at the first job? Do I need to give him a heads up? I already know he can't be a reference for me due to company policy, but should I warn him "you might get a call" so he knows?
posted by Tehhund at 3:40 PM on January 15, 2012
Bonus question: what if I haven't asked my old supervisor at the first job? Do I need to give him a heads up? I already know he can't be a reference for me due to company policy, but should I warn him "you might get a call" so he knows?
posted by Tehhund at 3:40 PM on January 15, 2012
Bonus question: what if I haven't asked my old supervisor at the first job? Do I need to give him a heads up? I already know he can't be a reference for me due to company policy, but should I warn him "you might get a call" so he knows?
Yes. This is the polite thing to do.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:02 PM on January 15, 2012
Yes. This is the polite thing to do.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 4:02 PM on January 15, 2012
Seconding Rodrigo Lamaitre. The only time you say "Please do not contact this reference" is when the reference is your current employer, and your current employer does not know you are looking for a new job.
posted by hhc5 at 5:25 PM on January 15, 2012
posted by hhc5 at 5:25 PM on January 15, 2012
"giving a reference" can mean two different things - one, is someone willing to discuss your professional career and strengths and accomplishments - these are the people you list as your chosen references. the other is more accurately called employment verification. on the part of the resume/application where you're discussing job history, you're listing things for employment verification. HR or who ever will sometimes try to get those jobs to talked about you, but the vast majority of them won't. that's ok. they'll still verify employment and that's the main thing the new company is looking for there.
again, never put "don't contact" unless they're you're current employer and you're hiding job hunting. think of it this way, you're interviewing someone and they have a job from a few years ago and they don't want you to contact that job. they say it's because the job won't give a reference at all. well, you as the HR person, could you ever 100% believe that? wouldn't part of you be wondering what story is there that they aren't telling you? it's best to have the old job tell them. it removes the need for trust. they have no reason to trust you. also, again, refusing to give a reference isn't the same as refusing to give employment verification. i've never heard of a company refusing to verify employment.
posted by nadawi at 6:02 PM on January 15, 2012
again, never put "don't contact" unless they're you're current employer and you're hiding job hunting. think of it this way, you're interviewing someone and they have a job from a few years ago and they don't want you to contact that job. they say it's because the job won't give a reference at all. well, you as the HR person, could you ever 100% believe that? wouldn't part of you be wondering what story is there that they aren't telling you? it's best to have the old job tell them. it removes the need for trust. they have no reason to trust you. also, again, refusing to give a reference isn't the same as refusing to give employment verification. i've never heard of a company refusing to verify employment.
posted by nadawi at 6:02 PM on January 15, 2012
at the first job, you don't even really need to talk to your supervisor. you can just call the receptionist up ask "what number and name should i put on an application for employment verification?" at most of the jobs i've been at, the supervisors weren't even allowed to do the employment verification because the company wanted to make sure a specific amount of information was relayed and no more. a few companies even had an outside service that completed all of those requests.
posted by nadawi at 6:05 PM on January 15, 2012
posted by nadawi at 6:05 PM on January 15, 2012
You should definitely contact your old supervisors to give them a heads up because it's a great opportunity to remind them of how awesome you were. Now, don't lay it on but something like, "Hey Miss X, hope all is well with you! I'm currently applying for work and needed to list past supervisors so you may get a call. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope you had a lovely holiday and I wish you the best in the New Year."
Then, Miss X thinks to herself, well, that's pretty nice. And if anyone comes calling they'll immediately say, "Oh yes!" and think warm thoughts about you.
posted by amanda at 7:34 PM on January 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
Then, Miss X thinks to herself, well, that's pretty nice. And if anyone comes calling they'll immediately say, "Oh yes!" and think warm thoughts about you.
posted by amanda at 7:34 PM on January 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
HR will provide dates of employment, and confirm that you worked there. The ONLY question they are legally allowed to answer is, "Would this person be eligible for rehire at your company?"
posted by halfbuckaroo at 6:26 AM on January 16, 2012
posted by halfbuckaroo at 6:26 AM on January 16, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
it's a legal minefield and most people don't want to tangle in it. tell them they can contact all three jobs. the only non-shady reason to say "don't contact" is if you are job hunting without your current job knowing you are looking around.
posted by nadawi at 3:28 PM on January 15, 2012