You just learned one of your previous employers has been giving you a bad reference. Count your blessings that you found out, because many never do. But what do you do about it?
Bad references don't always prevent someone from getting a job. The key is how the issue is handled in the reference, and how you handle it prior to the reference being checked. So your goal isn't necessarily to erase or debate the issue, only to reach agreement on its presentation.
When you phone, prevent them from becoming defensive by saying, "I'm calling to ask your help with something. I understand you have an issue with my performance when I worked for you, and I'm wondering if we might be able to reach an agreement on how it's presented so that it doesn't compromise my chances of employment. Would you mind sharing with me, please, what you weren't happy with when we worked together?"
Your tone of voice must be respectful, polite, and convey your desire for information and understanding. If you're angry, defensive, or whiny, or they perceive they're being attacked, you're not going to get what you want or need, which is information and cooperation. Creating an environment where they feel comfortable talking is more likely to open a conversation.
Don’t argue, interrupt or react defensively. Just listen. And when they're done, tell them you appreciate their sharing with you. This relaxes them further and moves you closer to a win/win agreement.
Next ask them what - not "if" – the positive aspects of your performance were. Ask if they'd be willing to share that information also next time. Again, this is negotiation for a win/win, not an argument to win or lose. Make sure they realize you're not asking them to remove the negative, but simply to frame it in a less harmful light and balance it with the positive. When you approach the conversation with the goal of resolving the situation and healing the relationship as best it can be healed, everyone usually wins.
As you continue interviewing, address this with a prospective employer before the reference is checked, but not until an offer is imminent. Assuming the issue is a valid one, acknowledge you've had some difficulty in the past, but since then it’s no longer relevant (if this is true.). Don’t make excuses or try to explain. Now you've defused the situation and removed the element of surprise.
If there's no validity, you'll need to address that too, but by presenting the supervisor as perhaps someone who was threatened, or new, or wanted their own person in your position, or whatever the case truly was, but be brief, objective, and balance it with a positive about the person as well. Trashing them reflects poorly on you and will backfire.
A wise word to every job seeker: contact your references before you start looking. Send them your resume. Tell them what you'll be interviewing for. Ask them what they might contemplate saying and how they'd speak to your abilities. Ask their permission to use them as a reference. References are sacred. Their privacy and willingness to speak on your behalf is to be respected and appreciated. Then you prevent this problem from occurring.
Guest Expert:
Judi Perkins, the How-To Career Coach, was a recruiter for 22 years, consulting with hundreds of hiring authorities throughout the hiring process. She’s seen over 500,000 resumes, knows how hiring authorities think and how they hire. As a result she understands and teaches what other coaches don’t: why the typical strategies in finding a job so often fail, what to do instead, and why. She’s been on PBS’s Frontline, will be in the May issue of Smart Money magazine, and has been quoted frequently in numerous articles for CareerBuilder, MSN Careers, Yahoo Hot Jobs, and the New York Times, among others. She’s also been featured as an expert in numerous career books. Sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.findtheperfectjob.com/
