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Sidestep a no-references rule By Jeanine “J.T.” O’Donnell and Dale Dauten Sat Jul 27, 2013 5:42 PM I have a question about getting references. I’ve worked for many years in the same small company. Our employee handbook states that no one is to give out references. The owner has made clear her belief that anyone who quits left under bad circumstances. That basically means that I would have no professional references to give prospective employers. If asked, there are co-workers who probably would break the rules and provide a reference. My other option is to use very old references. Suggestions? J.T.: First, remember that your references won’t be checked until a company is about to make you an offer. When that time comes, explain to the employer the impossible situation your current employer has put you in. Then, if you really want the job, you’ll have to tell them that you’re willing to ask people in the office to be confidential references, but you’ll have to ask them in private and get their personal phone numbers. Then, go to two colleagues privately and explain the situation. Tell them you’d be happy to be a reference for them should they want to leave someday. Your boss may have set all these rules in her favor, but it doesn’t mean you must follow them. In fact, when potential employers hear about her policies, they’ll understand what type of employer you are leaving. Dale: You know the last thing a person thinking of hiring you wants to hear? This: “Oh, poor me, I have this meanie old boss and I can’t give you references. But if I break some rules and compromise the positions of a couple of colleagues, I can come up with something. Poor me.” What to do instead? First, it’s common that you can’t provide references from your current employer. So, instead of whining about how you don’t have any other recent references, expand your thinking. There are dozens, probably hundreds, of people who have seen you in action. Start with former employees of your current employer. Next, turn to the company’s clients and suppliers. Try to find ones at a manager’s level, because the real question underlying references is, “Is this person someone I want working for me?” Get answers to that question — there are plenty of people who can answer it — and you don’t have to fear the reference issue. Contact J.T. and Dale at jtanddale.com. |