How do you find out if an old employer is giving a bad reference?

Question

I recently left a position because the hours of the job were changing and it was no longer conducive to my family life. I have 15 years experience, but I am not getting any interviews after submitting my resume to different places.

Answer 1

have someone call there that you know and say they are from "so and so company" and want to check your reference.

Answer 2

Always expect them to give you a bad reference even though it is illegal. All they are allowed to say if ask is you worked there, how long, and your position. But we all know they say more. Put on your resume why you left the old company some companys respect your committment to family.
But these days most companys are not looking for experienced people they want someone who works cheap and they can train.
They get Tax Deductions to train people.
Start your own business with 15 years experience.

Answer 3

Usually, companies don't contact your references until after you've interviewed for the job and only if they are seriously considering you. You shouldn't be giving out your references until your interview, your resume should say, "References: Provided upon request." Also, I believe employers are not allowed to give any information other than confirming the dates you worked at their company.

Answer 4

ask the HR at the old place- call and ask if they have given any information to perspective employers. Don't say anything else. If they say yes then ask to whom. Then call an attorney. It is illegal for them to do so and I would almost bet the only thing they say is "yes he worked here" and that is it. They are all gun shy.
If you have not had an interview for 15 years you may be surprised to find that you often have to send 50 resumes to get 1 single call and you have to send 100 resumes to get 1 interview. You may have been out of touch of the cut-throat market so long you thought you would be snatched up quickly with your abilities....we all overvalue our skills and sometimes we must take huge pay cuts. I know. Good Luck to you and bone up on your skills and presentation and selling of yourself!

Answer 5

Have a friend call your old employer and act like they are calling them for a reference to a potential new job. Record the conversation if possible. If the reference is bad, call your old employer and let them know, you know what they are doing. As far as I know, they are not allowed to say anything bad about you. Just verify dates of employment and reason for leaving.

Answer 6

Um.. my work place and others i have worked at before they can only comment that yes you worked there during the times you put, they can comment on your wage and i think if you showed up on time or called off too much they aren't allowed to give a review of how well you did your job or anything like that..

Answer 7

This same thing happened with my fiance', his old employer, who he was pretty loyal to, was giving him a bad reference.

Try asking the places you put in why you arent receiving an interview, and ask if you had a bad reference. This is how my fiance found out.

Answer 8

This one is an easy one. Just have a friend pretend to be a prospective employer and ask your former employer for a reference. That should settle it right there! BTW, I have seen this done before.

Answer 9

For starters you could have someone call and act as though they are from another company asking for a reference.
I use to work in HR and I know they are only suppose to answer yes and no and that's all. No in depth personal questions are to be asked or answered, and no info just volunteered up from your previous boss.
Hope that helps.

Answer 10

Yes make your friend call there and act as a going to be employer, and check them out.

Answer 11

most employers WONT give a bad ref unless an employee was absolutely diabolical with a capital D WHICH DOESNT SEEM TO BE YOUR CASE good luck