Past employer won't give reference...?

Question

I'm looking for a new job again. The other day, I contacted my manager at my second-most recent employer and asked him to be a reference. He declined, saying that he thought I was a great guy and had a lot of potential, but wasn't comfortable being a reference for me. To be honest, my work wasn't the greatest at that company -- I had an illness in the family and lost focus somewhat at work -- but having to explain a lack of a ref. is a problem. Suggestions on how to handle?

Is asking someone to be a character reference only better or worse than having no reference at all?

Answer 1

My thought is that you should obviously list both the name of the previous employers and the name/phone of your previous supervisors. If your new prospective employer would like to make contacts and verify references then he/she will do so. At that time, if any previous employer states that he is not willing to provide any references on your behalf then your new employer can take this into consideration and may provide you with the reason to explain the whys or why nots...or they may simply reject your application.

Nonetheless, you have to fully disclose all previous employment information & history (positive or negative).

You also can discuss this matter ahead of time with your new prospective employer so that they are aware that you are not trying to hide anything in your past...

Good luck!

Answer 2

Remember that references are not that important, only that when your employer calls that they will speak of your good works, not necessarily about you. If he declines, it may be cause he does not know you well enough to give a good enough reference and we just trying to be polite and not offend you.

My suggestion, if you can, stop in to the old job site, reintroduce yourself, and then see if he can remember you. If so then you will be set, however if he does not then let it go. Just list the place as a work site only. As long as you left that employer with good standing, it will not matter if you do not have them as a reference.

May God bless you with your job venture.

Answer 3

Usually a company you apply to will call a former employer and asked if you worked there, for how long, and what kind of employee you were.
Your former companies will give them the information to the first two questions without a problem. As to what kind of employee you were they won't say much, answers would be something like, good, OK, great worker but not much more. It is to their advantage not to say too much because their unemployment insurance cost go up the longer you are out of work, or if they say something really bad you could sue them.
I usually give names of friends or former co-workers that knew me.