Ask the expert: Snub by bosses over reference puts the kibosh on job chance

By MARIE WILSON

Q. Four years ago I left a job as the manager of R&D for a small local company to enter fulltime study. I had only been in the job for a year and only a week before giving my notice I had been informed that my employment contract was to be renewed, which tells me that my performance had at least been satisfactory.

The reasons for leaving were many, but could be summed up as few long-term prospects in the company, too much stress, and the opportunity to gain a tertiary qualification in a field that at that time was in high demand.

There was some conflict with one of the principals at the time of leaving, but that was settled within a couple of months (I was taking them to the Employment Court).

On completion of the degree I returned to the two principals and asked if they were prepared to provide references. After some discussion on the subject they agreed.

As an older job-seeker with a wide area of experience and good qualifications, finding a job has been more difficult than I anticipated. But I have had an awesome interview for a good job that suited me perfectly and was told that subject to a reference check they would offer me the position.

The following day the job offer was withdrawn. When asked why, I was told that one of the principals had refused to provide a reference.

This was the one I did not have the conflict with and the one who told me that my contract had been extended. I was gutted by this, especially after the agreement to provide a reference. Is there anything that can be done?


A. Former employers are not obliged to provide a reference, unfortunately, and few employment disputes end so pleasantly that a glowing reference can be expected.

I can appreciate that you want to be able to document your experience, but relying on an unco-operative or potentially negative reference is a risky strategy. You will now have to find another opportunity. You can improve your chances of success if you ask your former employers for a written reference to include in your documents.

They may not provide even that, but at a minimum you should be able to get a certificate of service confirming your job title, responsibility and start and end date.

Written references are not viewed as positively as verbal references by many employers, but in this case I'd say they were a better bet, particularly as potential employers can follow up only the references that you provide for them.

With several years in education recently, and a work history before that, you may want to think creatively about references. Are there other people who can attest to your abilities?

If you plan to be in a management role then people you have supervised in the past are a better source of information than your manager.

Are there former team members, customers or suppliers who can comment on your strengths?

They would certainly make better referees than your former employers.

Are there any team projects that were part of your recent qualification that can be the source of team-member feedback on your abilities and strengths?


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Dr Marie Wilson is associate professor of management at the University of Auckland Business School, research director of the ICEHOUSE business accelerator and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business.