Finding Good References When You Can't Ask Your Boss
If you have been fired or quit a job on shaky terms, the prospect
of securing positive references can seem daunting. Employed job hunters face a
similar predicament when they need someone to vouch for them but want to keep
their search hidden from their immediate boss. Whatever the circumstances of
their job hunt, professionals with a track record of success needn't be at a
loss for supporters. Below are some tips for winning rave reviews when the
usual sources aren't available.
Ideally, you should choose a strategy and put it into action at
the time of your dismissal, before you even exit the building. If you haven't,
review your options and then line up your references before you begin your job
search. Just remember to contact your potential supporters before offering them
as references, so they aren't caught off-guard when an employer calls.
1. Settle on a story.
Don't assume that because you were fired, you can't get a good
reference from your boss. It isn't unusual for managers to put in a good word
for employees whom they have dismissed, says Richard Bayer, chief operations
officer in
When asking an ex-boss
for a reference, pitch your assets. "Remind the employer of what you have
accomplished, because they may just be thinking of the recent event that you
were fired over and lose focus of the good qualities," says Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides,
a career and outplacement- consulting firm in Melville, N.Y.
2. Ask a previous boss
to be a reference.
When Leslie Macabeo, 33, of Westminster, Calif., resigned from her job
as dean of academics at a Huntington Beach, Calif., college in April after
severe criticism from her supervisors, she didn't feel comfortable asking them
to be references.
As an alternative, she
used the former president of the college as a reference, says Ms. Macabeo, who had been with the college for two years. She
secured a new job within a week of the dismissal and is now director of
development at the Creative Collection, an after-school arts program in
If you haven't kept in
touch with former managers, reopen the lines of communication. Update them on
your situation and then ask for a reference.
3. Find an ally.
Chances are good some co-workers won't side with your boss and
instead sympathize with your situation. It is important to ask these allies to
be a reference immediately after you leave the company, while they are still
friendly with you.
In 1999, Tom Pulley, now 56, was let go from a managerial position
at an aerospace and defense company in
"It would not have been an acceptable reference," says
Mr. Pulley. Instead, he sought out another supervisor at the company who
understood his circumstances. Mr. Pulley, who now has a consulting firm in
4. Seek out a client or vendor.
Be creative with your references by reaching further into your
network to associates you brought to the company or vendors.
"People always think they have to use their bosses as
references instead of considering a client they found who brought in $5 million
each year," Ms. Matias says. These supporters
may be able to provide a different perspective than employers.
5. Use the human-resources department.
If you must verify employment but are worried that your boss may
say something negative about you, list a human-resources manager at your former
employer.
In most cases, company policies limit human-resources
professionals to releasing only your title, length of employment and salary.
"Many companies have strict rules and won't divulge why an employee no
longer works there," Ms. Matias says.
Article from Career
Journal Online December 2006