background. Reference checks are typically conducted with either your former supervisors, or Human Resources, or both. If any of the feedback from these checks reflects something unfavorable, it is highly unlikely that an employer will tell you that this is why you were not hired. Instead, the more likely scenario is that you will be told that they have made “other arrangements,” or you will simply never hear from then again. Sadly, this happens far more often than most job seekers would think. It is very possible that the great job you lost out on at the last moment had nothing to do with your lack of skills, being overqualified, or a bad economy, but was instead the result of an unfavorable background check. In fact, about half of all references that are conducted through Allison & Taylor Reference Checking.com (a premier 3rd party reference/background checking organization) can be classified as mediocre to poor. This is indeed frightening when your employment livelihood is at stake. Even if you don’t anticipate an issue, never assume that your background check - when run by a prospective employer - will be problem-free. Over your adult life, many parties have the ability to provide information that will ultimately appear on your report. If any of that data has been entered in error, (e.g. by a clerical person who has incorrectly entered your social security number, or someone else’s), you might find that there is something far worse on your report than a speeding ticket you got many years ago. In summary, the old saying “never assume” surely applies to reference and background checks, and the problematic data they might reveal. The good news: organizations like Allison & Taylor Reference Checking.com can conduct a background check or job reference check for you, and offer remedial steps (such as a Cease & Desist letter ) in the event either of these come back with negative commentary. It’s never too early to identify what your background report, or your former employers, are saying about you - the livelihood you save may be your own. CHAPTER 48 5 Reference-Related Trends Stand Out in 2014 “Mid-Year” Scorecard Shows Key Focus Areas for Job Seekers As we reach the halfway point in the 2014 calendar year, reference-checking firm Allison & Taylor Reference Checking has identified 5 key employment trends that job seekers should consider during their employment search for the remainder of 2014. 1. References have become more, not less, valuable with former supervisors becoming increasingly critical. The overall job market remains tight and a candidate’s job references will almost surely tip the scales – in their favor, or against them. Former supervisors have increasingly become the “go to” references for prospective employers who have realized that they are far more likely to give candid feedback about a candidate than more traditional HR references. 2. Employers are increasingly conducting reference checks earlier in the job screening process. Traditionally, employers have conducted their reference checks at the end of the candidate screening process after the interviewing process has been concluded. However, an increasing number of employers are deciding that it is more efficient to conduct the reference checks prior to the interview process. The rationale: screen out candidates with a negative reference(s) prior to taking up the valuable time of managers in what sometimes becomes a labor-intensive interview process. 3. Maintaining close contact with your references has become increasingly important due to demographic shifts in the workplace. Many people in upper-level management are “boomers” who are now hitting retirement age. While this translates to more employment opportunities at all levels of management, it also means that keeping in close contact with your references becomes increasingly important. If that key reference retires, and you don’t have his or her current contact information, it could be detrimental to your job seeking process. 4. Staying in touch with former employers can be crucial as “boomerang” hiring intensifies. Companies that may have had to lay workers off in recent years are now looking to increase their numbers, and many are more than willing to rehire old employees. This is true for a number of reasons, e.g. the employers know what type of employee they are getting based on past experience, the rehired employee may have learned some new skills in the interim, etc. 5. Effectively formatting one’s references can give a candidate a “leg up” on the competition. Savvy job seekers are modernizing their reference lists to make a powerful statement of their qualifications. An effective reference list will identify those attributes the references can attest to, something that will make the prospective employer’s job easier – and is guaranteed to reflect the job seeker in a proactive light. (See one such sample format here.)
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