Bad reference?

HPR2922

In November I was offered a job. The company was one I actually worked for a few years ago, however they require two references. I gave my two past employers and it seemed that the first one came back quickly but the second has taken forever, first the employer who did the reference put the wrong dates and then I was told that the new employer had a question about the reference so they were waiting for that.

I have been chasing both the new employer and the one doing the reference since November, with minimum communication from either. Most of the communication has been from and to HR at the new employer but Today I had an email from the manager at the new role saying ‘Could you give me any reason’s as to why we would not receive a satisfactory reference from any of your referee’s?’

I was very confused by this as both references have previously given me good references. I assume it is the 2nd one which took the longest that has provided this ‘unsatisfactory’ reference as when I called HR last week they said they had received what they needed and were processing it.

I haven’t heard back after explaining this and do not understand where I stand now? I haven’t been told anything, only asked that mysterious question and it’s really infuriating. I’ve been waiting months to start this job and now they can’t even tell me ‘you’re job offer no longer stands due to the reference’

Again I have no idea why they would give a bad reference. They weren’t the best employers but I had no disciplinaries and I handed my notice in and worked my notice due to getting another job (which they then gave me a good reference for)

What can I do, who do I ask to see a copy of the reference? And if it is wrong how do I convince the new employer of this?

unforeseen

Could you give me any reason’s as to why we would not receive a satisfactory reference from any of your referee’s

That sounds like both referees gave unsatisfactory references.

jonnygee2

Could you give me any reason’s as to why we would not receive a satisfactory reference from any of your referee’s?’

Can you? I think your best bet is to answer the question honestly.

If the answer is no, I left both employers beleiveing we d had a good relationship, (but here's a few areas, I need to develop), that's the best answer to give.

Your employer now is going to have to make a decision about who to trust. As a starter you need to be trustworthy. Beyond that, there's not much you can do to influence the deccesion.

Don't get into demanding to see the reference or knowing what's in it, and don't say anything bad about your old employer.

Les79

unforeseen wrote: »

That sounds like both referees gave unsatisfactory references.

Meh, "any" could be used in place of "either" here and make sense... But good point nonetheless.


It could also be possible that the reference hasn't been received yet, and the manager is speculating as to why there is such a delay.

HPR2922

I can’t give any reasons - that’s why I’m confused. They have given me a good reference before so why change now?

HPR2922

Yes I’m pretty sure it means one as I have recently started another job which the first one gave a reference for (they only needed one) with no issues

unforeseen

Could also be replaced by 'one' or even 'both'. But the word used was 'any', not something else

HPR2922

jonnygee2 wrote: »

Can you? I think your best bet is to answer the question honestly.

If the answer is no, I left both employers beleiveing we d had a good relationship, (but here's a few areas, I need to develop), that's the best answer to give.

Your employer now is going to have to make a decision about who to trust. As a starter you need to be trustworthy. Beyond that, there's not much you can do to influence the deccesion.

Don't get into demanding to see the reference or knowing what's in it, and don't say anything bad about your old employer.

I have no reason they would’ve done it - especially considering they have given me a satisfactory reference in the past (when I first left them they gave a reference for the job I the started, over a year ago). I’ve not had any contact with the since so don’t know how it could have gone from good to bad? Why should I not demand to see the reference, surely this is the only way I will know what’s going on?

HPR2922

unforeseen wrote: »

Could also be replaced by 'one' or even 'both'. But the word used was 'any', not something else

I don’t think it means both, I think they said that to avoid giving away which one it is. The first one came back months ago and they also gave me a reference which led to me getting another job recently so can’t imagine it was them. The other one that I believe is the bad one, when I called last week the new employer said they’d just received all they needed and it was being processed

jonnygee2

Well, that's your honest answer then.

But, you must have been aware of some development points. I would mention those too (they did give me feedback on working in a team etc but I have worked on that since and didn't think it was severe enough to mean a bad reference).

Ultimately as long as it's not your most recent employer it's probably okay, especially if you are able to identify what went wrong and shown you've since addressed it.

jonnygee2

Why should I not demand to see the reference, surely this is the only way I will know what’s going on?

You aren't in a position to make demands and, generally, it's not the best start to a new employment relationship to make demands of them.

You're not a detective and it's not an investigation.Your goal is to get your new potential employer to trust you.