unsatisfactory references

robatwork

You should also consider that the new employer is using the "bad reference" reason to cover up the real reason. Perhaps the job is no longer available or they offered it to 2 people to cover their bases.

Like everyone else I think it's unlikely that the reason is your choice of referees - much more likely the contents of the reference, or as above.

How was your timekeeping and performance at your job?

Peppy86

robatwork wrote: »

You should also consider that the new employer is using the "bad reference" reason to cover up the real reason. Perhaps the job is no longer available or they offered it to 2 people to cover their bases.

Like everyone else I think it's unlikely that the reason is your choice of referees - much more likely the contents of the reference, or as above.

How was your timekeeping and performance at your job?

They were good. I usually worked 5-6 hours a day, as my manager asked. I've never said "No". I think it is strange to offer a reference if he was thinking to give a bad one.

w06

You need to ask what he said, if you think that is the reason you lost the offer.

The situation of only having one recent employer, or not having a recent employer at all, is not uncommon.

missbiggles1

Peppy86 wrote: »

if someone says "Ok, I can help you" and he doesn't... is it fair or not?

Offering to write a reference isn't about "helping" you (or at least, it doesn't have to be).

ETA
I've just noticed you said your last employer so I assume you no longer work there. In that case, they could be hoping to warn another employer about you. Sorry.

missbiggles1

Peppy86 wrote: »

They were good. I usually worked 5-6 hours a day, as my manager asked. I've never said "No". I think it is strange to offer a reference if he was thinking to give a bad one.

5-6 hours a day extra or were you only part time?

Peppy86

missbiggles1 wrote: »

5-6 hours a day extra or were you only part time?

5-6 a day, Monday to Saturday

theoretica

References aren't divided cleanly into 'good' and 'bad' - it is possible for an employer to not like something which was written as a positive. Reference requests can include a set of factual questions too - it could be something like your sickness record.

sangie595

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Offering to write a reference isn't about "helping" you (or at least, it doesn't have to be).

ETA
I've just noticed you said your last employer so I assume you no longer work there. In that case, they could be hoping to warn another employer about you. Sorry.

Good catch - I also didn't notice that. OP when did you leave this employment and why? I have to admit that if I was looking at a five year old university reference and an ex-employers reference, unless I had some explanations, I'd be looking for them. It might all be totally innocent and easy to explain. But I wouldn't necessarily assume the best case.

And are you actually sure that they got references from them? Not getting an answer would also be "unsatisfactory references". A number of universities won't give anything other than an academic reference after a certain amount of time - after five years they have no idea who you are or what you are like. And sometimes former employers simply don't respond. So it could be nothing, or something.

DCFC79

Peppy86 wrote: »

They were good. I usually worked 5-6 hours a day, as my manager asked. I've never said "No". I think it is strange to offer a reference if he was thinking to give a bad one.

Cant see if anyone has asked but is there any reason you can think of for him to give a reference ?

Peppy86

I think it can be everything and nothing. I'be wait for the next response and I will try to get some new information if it is negative.