TMCnet News
HELP WANTED: When the boss can't be a reference(Newsday (Melville, NY) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 18--DEAR CARRIE: After working in a doctor's office for 10 years, I feel stuck and want to change jobs. Everyone likes me, including the doctor, his patients and staff. But the office doesn't offer health benefits, and the pay raises are small and far apart. I have gone on interviews, only to wind up discouraged because the interviewers insisted on a reference from my current job. But if the doctor finds out I'm job-hunting, he'll fire me. What should I do? Help! Job-search quandary DEAR JOB SEARCH: To answer your question, I turned to one of the best career experts I know, Kate Wendleton, president of the Five O'Clock Club, a Manhattan-based career-coaching and outplacement firm. She understands your dilemma. "Of course you cannot give a reference from your present job," she said, "and you don't want to work for any employer who would put your present job at risk." So don't be afraid to tell interviewers why they can't speak to your current employer. "Good prospective bosses understand that you cannot jeopardize your job," she said. "However, you also must understand that they want to get some sense of you from others." That means you should come ready to offer other character references, and Wendleton suggests several ways you can find them. She advises you to cast a wide net by considering personal as well as professional references. For example, if you volunteer at a local organization, someone from that group could be a reference. Perhaps a few former bosses would be willing to vouch for you, even though you worked for them a long time ago. Perhaps a minister, rabbi or imam could serve as a reference. You could even include a few friends -- that is, friends who have known you for years and can vouch for your character. "Think of who has known you for a long time and can attest to your character," Wendleton said. Chose three or four people as references. And make sure you get their permission to give their names to your prospective employers. Tell those who will give you a reference when they might expect the all-important call. And remind them of your strengths at work or as a person. And above all, make sure they feel comfortable serving as a reference. You can say to the person: "I was hoping to use your name as a reference in my job search. Do you think you would feel comfortable providing a strong reference?" You can even put some of the points in writing so your former bosses or friends can refer to your sheet when they get the call, she said. "Help people to help you in the reference process," Wendleton said. On the other hand, "if you sense that a person is lukewarm and not inclined to give you a great reference, don't use that person," Wendleton said. Hiring managers expect you to give them the names of people who will say glowing things about you, she said. A family member could even attest to your perfect attendance at work for a year. Ask your references to follow up with you, she said. You need to know when the company called them and how the discussion went. And don't forget to observe reference etiquette. After you get a job, let those who vouched for you know what happened and thank them for their help, Wendleton said. Carrie Mason-Draffen welcomes workplace questions, though she cannot respond to every query. Some may be edited for length and clarity. Contact her with your questions at 631-843-2450, or e-mail her at [email protected]. Send a letter to Dear Help Wanted, Business Desk, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250. Your name and number won't be published. To see more of Newsday, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsday.com Copyright (c) 2008, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |