Job Reference Screw Up
March 23, 2015 9:05 AM Subscribe
You are always supposed to ask someone if they will provide you with a positive job reference. I did not do that with any of the references I listed on a job application. I just went on an interview and I think they will be calling my references soon. I realize now that this is a major faux pas. Is there anything I can do at this point to save this situation?
I'm not even sure that they haven't contacted these references already. Do I e-mail or call my listed references now? If so, what do I say?
I'm pretty sure everyone will still have good things to say about me, but I don't want to screw this up any more than I already have.
I'm not even sure that they haven't contacted these references already. Do I e-mail or call my listed references now? If so, what do I say?
I'm pretty sure everyone will still have good things to say about me, but I don't want to screw this up any more than I already have.
Email them now and give them a heads up that given your past working relationship, you listed them on an application for X position with Y company. Give some background about what kind of position it is and that you had an interview that went well.
Checking ahead of time is a good idea to make sure they are willing to give you a positive reference, but a lot of it is to also give them a heads up.
Maybe call to follow up - it's very important to have prepped them. You don't want them getting the call and going, "Wait, who?"
posted by bookdragoness at 9:09 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Checking ahead of time is a good idea to make sure they are willing to give you a positive reference, but a lot of it is to also give them a heads up.
Maybe call to follow up - it's very important to have prepped them. You don't want them getting the call and going, "Wait, who?"
posted by bookdragoness at 9:09 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Dear Name:
I just wanted to let you know that under pressure to make an application deadline, I listed you as a work reference re my role as a Widget Inspector at Widgets R Us. Normally I would of course have cleared this with you, and I apologise for not having had an opportunity to do so.
As it happens, I was called for a very positive interview at Widget-O-Rama, and wanted to give you a belated heads up in case they are in touch.
With my many thanks,
Galvanized Unicorn
posted by DarlingBri at 9:12 AM on March 23, 2015 [59 favorites]
I just wanted to let you know that under pressure to make an application deadline, I listed you as a work reference re my role as a Widget Inspector at Widgets R Us. Normally I would of course have cleared this with you, and I apologise for not having had an opportunity to do so.
As it happens, I was called for a very positive interview at Widget-O-Rama, and wanted to give you a belated heads up in case they are in touch.
With my many thanks,
Galvanized Unicorn
posted by DarlingBri at 9:12 AM on March 23, 2015 [59 favorites]
As long as you get to your references before your potential employer does, I think you're fine.
posted by mskyle at 9:23 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 9:23 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Eh I'd classify that as a minor faux pas, myself. I'd just let people know you've used them as a reference so they aren't surprised, but I wouldn't stress too much about it.
I get a pretty steady stream of "oh hai I used you as a reference on my [employment application | hamster adoption questionnaire | volunteer application | new NYC apartment form | Area 51 security clearance | whatever]" emails and it's pretty much NBD, at least to me and in my world. Unless one of your references is really unfamiliar with it I wouldn't even expect much in response.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:28 AM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
I get a pretty steady stream of "oh hai I used you as a reference on my [employment application | hamster adoption questionnaire | volunteer application | new NYC apartment form | Area 51 security clearance | whatever]" emails and it's pretty much NBD, at least to me and in my world. Unless one of your references is really unfamiliar with it I wouldn't even expect much in response.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:28 AM on March 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
It's always handy to give your information in broad strokes. I loke DarlingBri's wording but I'd add:
I am using you as a reference for {dates} when we worked together at {place}.
posted by readery at 9:32 AM on March 23, 2015
I am using you as a reference for {dates} when we worked together at {place}.
posted by readery at 9:32 AM on March 23, 2015
I would go further and - if you can - contact two new people and ask them if they would be willing to give you a reference.
If they say yes, then when you contact your listed referees, explain that you totally misunderstood the etiquette regarding contacting referees first and you've been presumptuous without realizing it. You really valued the time you spent working with them so you'd still appreciate it a lot if they could give a reference, but if this isn't convenient to please let you know, and you'll ask the interviewers to contact someone else.
posted by tel3path at 9:51 AM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
If they say yes, then when you contact your listed referees, explain that you totally misunderstood the etiquette regarding contacting referees first and you've been presumptuous without realizing it. You really valued the time you spent working with them so you'd still appreciate it a lot if they could give a reference, but if this isn't convenient to please let you know, and you'll ask the interviewers to contact someone else.
posted by tel3path at 9:51 AM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Contact all of them immediately.
"Hi XXXX, hope you're doing well! I just wanted to let you know that I am in the late stages of interviewing for a job to XXXX and I added you as a reference. They needed references quickly, so I apologize for not checking with you first, but I am hoping you'll be able to speak positively about my time as XXXX under you, including X projects I did.
Thank you very much for your time if you'll be able to speak with them. I'm excited about this job because XXX, so I will let you know how it goes! Many thanks again!"
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:52 AM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
"Hi XXXX, hope you're doing well! I just wanted to let you know that I am in the late stages of interviewing for a job to XXXX and I added you as a reference. They needed references quickly, so I apologize for not checking with you first, but I am hoping you'll be able to speak positively about my time as XXXX under you, including X projects I did.
Thank you very much for your time if you'll be able to speak with them. I'm excited about this job because XXX, so I will let you know how it goes! Many thanks again!"
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:52 AM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
DarlingBri's advice is great. I also suggest you include a brief description of the position and attach your current resume, adding something like "I know we haven't had a chance to catch up recently, so I've attached my current resume". Having that in front of them will make it much easier on their end.
And definitely be sure to let them know in a few weeks how it resolves, with thanks either way.
posted by susanvance at 9:56 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
And definitely be sure to let them know in a few weeks how it resolves, with thanks either way.
posted by susanvance at 9:56 AM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I don't agree that this is no big deal. This has never happened to me and is not done in any culture I've ever been a part of. If I got a call from some unknown party out of the blue and was put on the spot to talk about the professional merits of someone, I would be highly annoyed and think less of the person in question. At this point the least you can do for damage control is CALL your desired references and explain the situation honestly. An email is too easy and gives the impression that you don't really value the service you want them to provide.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 10:09 AM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mysterious_stranger at 10:09 AM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
^ Yes, and in that case, if I were OP, I'd prefer that you don't pick up the phone and are unreachable rather than answer and sound caught off guard or annoyed. So while OP clearly messed up by not contacting references first, not telling the references now would be another screw-up. I'm not sure a phone call saying the same thing as an email ("I listed you as a reference without asking first") changes much, and email will be much faster.
If the employer has trouble reaching the reference, that gives OP the opportunity to have another reference that OP has contacted. So OP, you may want to look for another reference in case and line them up, so if the employer needs another reference, you can offer up the new person immediately.
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:11 AM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
If the employer has trouble reaching the reference, that gives OP the opportunity to have another reference that OP has contacted. So OP, you may want to look for another reference in case and line them up, so if the employer needs another reference, you can offer up the new person immediately.
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:11 AM on March 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I once got a phone call at 7 a.m. looking for a reference that I had no idea I'd been mentioned for. I was not expecting this--my mom liked to call me at 7 a.m. and totally messed me up trying to get out the door and I used to spend a lot of time trying to tell her NOT TO--so I was not so sweet and nice when I answered the phone, I'll put it that way. (She didn't get the job, though I'm told everyone else who was called at 7 a.m. wasn't happy about it either.)
The etiquette of these things is:
(a) ask so-and-so if they'd give a reference.
(b) When you get the interview, contact the references to say, "Hey, I have an interview, you might get a phone call about this." It's also a good idea to check if you can still get a hold of them at all, because one of mine had disconnected her number (I had to get someone else who talked to her more than I did to track down her new one) and I had to drop her off of the reference pool until I could track her down again.
(c) Put whatever references you talked to down on the piece of paper.
Yeah, in this case everyone has already said "call them first." However, who knows if they will actually be called or not. I strongly suspect mine haven't been called in years :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:31 AM on March 23, 2015
The etiquette of these things is:
(a) ask so-and-so if they'd give a reference.
(b) When you get the interview, contact the references to say, "Hey, I have an interview, you might get a phone call about this." It's also a good idea to check if you can still get a hold of them at all, because one of mine had disconnected her number (I had to get someone else who talked to her more than I did to track down her new one) and I had to drop her off of the reference pool until I could track her down again.
(c) Put whatever references you talked to down on the piece of paper.
Yeah, in this case everyone has already said "call them first." However, who knows if they will actually be called or not. I strongly suspect mine haven't been called in years :P
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:31 AM on March 23, 2015
At this point the least you can do for damage control is CALL your desired references and explain the situation honestly. An email is too easy and gives the impression that you don't really value the service you want them to provide.
I think email is perfect and Darlingbri's wording is great, with maybe the addition of a few details (dates/projects) to make sure they remember you.
There's always a contingent of folks in any askme question of communication who insist a phone call is required but I personally think that's pretty out-dated advice.
posted by JenMarie at 11:07 AM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
I think email is perfect and Darlingbri's wording is great, with maybe the addition of a few details (dates/projects) to make sure they remember you.
There's always a contingent of folks in any askme question of communication who insist a phone call is required but I personally think that's pretty out-dated advice.
posted by JenMarie at 11:07 AM on March 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Calling is better:
1. You can convey actual regret with your tone of voice (this is important if in fact the reference has already been called without warning). An email is not good at conveying emotional tone.
2. You can be sure the person knows you took the time to call them, rather than just sending them a cut and paste generic email you sent to all of your "references".
3. You can ASK them to be a reference, and get an immediate yes or no answer. If no, you can also call the employer and let them know you need to change one of your references.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 12:17 PM on March 23, 2015
1. You can convey actual regret with your tone of voice (this is important if in fact the reference has already been called without warning). An email is not good at conveying emotional tone.
2. You can be sure the person knows you took the time to call them, rather than just sending them a cut and paste generic email you sent to all of your "references".
3. You can ASK them to be a reference, and get an immediate yes or no answer. If no, you can also call the employer and let them know you need to change one of your references.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 12:17 PM on March 23, 2015
This is a bit of a faux pas but a minor one because I think a few ppl have been there- i've been on both sides of that situation. So yes, letting people know, be apologetic but briefly so. People get it. (As long as they are not in the position of actually not wanting to be your referee because they don't have anything good to say- but presumably you have a decent idea of that).
posted by jojobobo at 1:17 PM on March 23, 2015
posted by jojobobo at 1:17 PM on March 23, 2015
I think that DarlingBri's email template is great. Don't bother with a phone call - an email is fine. It's not necessary to grovel - you didn't sic an Amway seller on them or anything. You were rushed and jumped the gun - it happens. What you want to do is give your references a heads-up so they don't reply "Galvanized Who?" when they are called and asked about working with you.
I find that most business contacts prefer email to phone calls anyway, since a phone call demands immediate action and an email can wait - a huge plus for a busy person. "Always call!" is outdated advice. These days, I only call when I don't have someone's email, my contact specifically says they'd prefer phone calls, or I am urgently trying to reach them. "Call because it's so nice to hear a voice, it shows you care" is great advice for your grandma, but doesn't really apply to a business contact, at least IME. Another plus for email in your case is that you can remind your references of what you did when you worked with them and what skills you want to emphasize for this job. A phone call can easily go in one ear and out the other in that regard.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:38 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I find that most business contacts prefer email to phone calls anyway, since a phone call demands immediate action and an email can wait - a huge plus for a busy person. "Always call!" is outdated advice. These days, I only call when I don't have someone's email, my contact specifically says they'd prefer phone calls, or I am urgently trying to reach them. "Call because it's so nice to hear a voice, it shows you care" is great advice for your grandma, but doesn't really apply to a business contact, at least IME. Another plus for email in your case is that you can remind your references of what you did when you worked with them and what skills you want to emphasize for this job. A phone call can easily go in one ear and out the other in that regard.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:38 PM on March 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'd agree that email is fine and that this is not a Big Deal.
Also, don't stress too much about the possibility that someone or other may call your reference and the reference may be caught off guard. When I call employment references, I generally find that one or more references aren't really that articulate/don't know what to say. As long as they don't say something negative about you, you're fine. I'm not interviewing THEM for a job.
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Also, don't stress too much about the possibility that someone or other may call your reference and the reference may be caught off guard. When I call employment references, I generally find that one or more references aren't really that articulate/don't know what to say. As long as they don't say something negative about you, you're fine. I'm not interviewing THEM for a job.
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:44 PM on March 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
If I were your reference, I'd prefer an email to a phone call, and I'd love a quick bullet list mentioning which work you did with me would be helpful/relevant for your interview:
"I'm especially excited about this job opportunity because Sr Director of Animal Wellfare will let me use my experience from our previous Feral Cat Wrangling project of 2011. The Cat Wrangling Algorithms we developed for that project have become industry standard, and I'm looking forward to implementing them in the County-wide Feral Animal and Vermin Reclamation Division."
posted by instamatic at 3:15 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
"I'm especially excited about this job opportunity because Sr Director of Animal Wellfare will let me use my experience from our previous Feral Cat Wrangling project of 2011. The Cat Wrangling Algorithms we developed for that project have become industry standard, and I'm looking forward to implementing them in the County-wide Feral Animal and Vermin Reclamation Division."
posted by instamatic at 3:15 AM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
That said, many employers have the explicit policy that (former/current) managers/coworkers cannot give references other than confirming employment dates, for liability reasons. So this may all be moot.
posted by instamatic at 3:18 AM on March 24, 2015
posted by instamatic at 3:18 AM on March 24, 2015
"I find that most business contacts prefer email to phone calls anyway, since a phone call demands immediate action and an email can wait"
Um, yeah, that's exactly why a phone call is warranted at this point, because it gets the immediate attention of the prospective reference so having them receive a call with no warning can be avoided.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 5:39 PM on March 25, 2015
Um, yeah, that's exactly why a phone call is warranted at this point, because it gets the immediate attention of the prospective reference so having them receive a call with no warning can be avoided.
posted by mysterious_stranger at 5:39 PM on March 25, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks so much everyone! I just got word that I got the job!
posted by galvanized unicorn at 5:25 PM on March 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by galvanized unicorn at 5:25 PM on March 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
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