I’m really stuck — although I have well-known organizations on my resume, I don’t have any references I can use. My last boss passed away suddenly and I’ve lost touch with my previous bosses (none are still at the original companies). I’m concerned that this will prevent me from getting hired and I’m just wasting my time. Is there anything you can do to help me?

A reference is like insurance: you don’t really need it until you need it. Not having appropriate references is a common concern for many more job seekers than you would expect, and is actually something that can happen to anyone. As you mention, there is much more movement in the work force these days, and people move continually. As a result, it is vital to keep in touch with your references as they progress from one job to the next.

Use the web tools we have available

Fortunately, there are web tools available, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social network sites that can greatly assist with this task. Take the initiative to connect online to your bosses and nurture those relationships regularly. This doesn’t need to take much time. It can be as simple as a quarterly “catch-up” chat or email, or even a hand-written holiday or birthday card every year.

Confidence is key

If you haven’t been able to stay in touch, there’s still hope. Some of our job search clients will fixate on their references (or lack thereof), almost to the exclusion of everything else. They can have a sterling work history, excellent education, and have many great accomplishments, but lack complete confidence because they feel that they lack appropriate references. Don’t fall into that trap! Stay confident through your entire job search (even if you feel that it is only a paper-thin veneer to the outside world). Showing your confidence in your abilities means a lot.

Focus on what you can change

Our usual advice is to focus on what you can change in your job search. Otherwise, it’s like worrying about possibly tripping up on the last few steps to the finish line before even starting a race. Reference checks are time-consuming and usually completed as the final stage of the hiring process. Most employers, at this point, are ready to hire the chosen candidate and they may just be looking for ANY reason NOT to hire. In other words, they are really hoping that your references merely confirm the opinion that they have already formed about who you are and what type of employee you will be for them. They realize that most references won’t be perfect. However, if you seem cagey or hesitant about providing your references, the hiring manager may assume that you do indeed have something to hide.

References are people too

From the other perspective, your references (or at least 99.9% of them), despite any past animosity that may have occurred while working together, will want things to work out for the best and allow you to get the job (indeed, they can even be sued if they slander you to prevent you getting a job). In addition, some organizations will now only confirm certain information, such as dates of employment, position, and salary. Ironically, these same organizations often want full references when they are hiring.

Also working in your favour is that fact that half of employers won’t even check your references. The best strategy is to walk in confident about your references — the more you can show that it isn’t an issue for you, the less they will want to check.

Look for alternatives

While previous bosses are the ideal expectation for most employers wanting to check a reference, if you are really stuck, consider who else you can use. While former bosses are best, superiors to whom you didn’t directly report, colleagues, or your own direct reports can also be used in a pinch.

It is important to carefully select your references and call them to be sure you know what you can expect them to say. If you feel your reference may have something negative to say, explain to the interviewer before they call the person why you feel that way and what you have done to overcome those particular challenges since the time you worked for that boss.

Good luck!

Mitchell Stephenson M.A., CPCC, is a senior partner and a certified professional career counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a career transition, counselling, and outplacement firm. Mitch has been involved in human resources, career counselling and coaching in the health and legal sectors for many years. To contact him, visit: www.catalystcareers.ca.

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