How to Handle an Unfavorable Reference

In a perfect world, all of your former employers would only ever provide accurate and favorable information when asked to be a reference. Unfortunately, the process of asking and giving professional references isn’t always as straightforward, and misunderstandings or unrelated workplace politics can play a role in what sort of reference you receive from an old boss.

Have you ever been worried about losing a job offer due to a bad reference? Or have you already received a bad reference and don’t know how to move forward?
We’re here to help!

How to Potentially Avoid a Bad Reference

If possible, you want to get ahead of a negative reference, perhaps even avoid it entirely. This isn’t always easy, especially considering most employers require references as part of the hiring process, and 87% of them on average will call references listed.

But there are a few things you can do to avoid bad reviews…

Vet Your References Ahead of Time

Before you list all of your previous employers as references, really consider how you left things with them. Was it on good terms? Did your boss seem to generally like and respect you? If you’re unsure, speak to some of your old colleagues, especially those still working for your previous employer. Ask them what they think, if your former boss made any comments about you after you left, etc.

In some cases, you can even ask former coworkers to give you a reference, if you think they’ll speak more highly of you.

Negotiate a Better Reference

Let’s assume you know your old boss isn’t going to give you a good reference, it may be worth calling them and trying to win back some favor. Acknowledge your shortcomings and explain how you plan to overcome them in this new job. Just taking the initiative and being open and honest may be enough to earn the respect of your former employer, and they could give you a better review than they otherwise would.

Get Creative with Reference Options

Not all references have to be strictly professional. Some employers may actually look favorably on candidates who include one or two references from someone outside of the workplace. If you have a professional reference that you don’t think will be favorable, consider swapping it out for another. Students could use academic references, or if you do charity/volunteer work, you could list a project manager or non-profit organizer.

What to do If You’ve Already Received a Bad Reference

Can a previous employer talk bad about you? Is it illegal to give a bad reference? To some, the answers to these questions may seem obvious, but there is actually a lot of confusion out there regarding reference etiquette.

Employers can and do give bad references from time to time.

Here's what to do if that happens:

If the Review is Accurate… In other words, if what your former employer said is mostly true, then you should speak to your potential new employer and tell them what you plan on doing differently in the future. Be humble and assure them you’ve learned from your past. In fact, owning up to your past mistakes may actually reflect well on you. Research suggests that being able to admit wrongdoing is considered a key factor in whether someone is seen as a good leader.

If the Review is Inaccurate… There are instances in which a former employer provides inaccurate information. Maybe they have a vendetta against you, or they’re still bitter about you quitting. If you feel you’re being unfairly maligned by an old boss, you should speak directly to the HR department. If they are unwilling or unable to help you, then you may need to seek legal action. Oftentimes a strongly worded letter from a lawyer is enough to get a petty employer to back down.

It’s Not the End of the World

If you suspect that you lost a job offer due to a bad reference, it’s not the end of the world. You can be proactive before applying to your next job, and follow the steps above to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

And for any hiring managers out there reading this, you can tell a candidate they got a bad reference, and in doing so, you may save them from future turmoil and stress. One bad work experience shouldn’t ruin a person’s job prospects for life.

That said, if you’ve got nothing but glowing references and yet you’re still struggling to find the right jobs or land an interview, it might be time to seek out the advice of an expert. At CyberCoders, our recruiters connect you with jobs that truly match what you’re looking for, and can help you find the compensation and benefits you deserve. Click here to learn more!