Job Reference.. Can it ruin it?
Job Reference.. Can it ruin it?
Author
Discussion

PapaHett

Original Poster:

2,124 posts

202 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
So I just got a call from o2, and i've been successful with the Interview. But when I applied, I submitted my application online, and couldn't figure out how to attach my references. So they want me to put them on tonight, and then arrange an appointment or something tomorrow.

At this stage, could a bad reference result in me not getting the job? I'm just thinking about who to put down, they want me to put down everything i've done in the past 3 years with work an education. But i've a feeling that one of my employers might not give me a great reference.. Should I just leave them out?

Soovy

35,829 posts

298 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
PapaHett said:
So I just got a call from o2, and i've been successful with the Interview. But when I applied, I submitted my application online, and couldn't figure out how to attach my references. So they want me to put them on tonight, and then arrange an appointment or something tomorrow.

At this stage, could a bad reference result in me not getting the job? I'm just thinking about who to put down, they want me to put down everything i've done in the past 3 years with work an education. But i've a feeling that one of my employers might not give me a great reference.. Should I just leave them out?
Yes it can.

Unlikely that an ex employer would give a bad reference (too much chance of being sued) BUT they will likely give "Worked here between x and y".


Everyone knows what that means.



Never burn your boats.

PapaHett

Original Poster:

2,124 posts

202 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Soovy said:
PapaHett said:
So I just got a call from o2, and i've been successful with the Interview. But when I applied, I submitted my application online, and couldn't figure out how to attach my references. So they want me to put them on tonight, and then arrange an appointment or something tomorrow.

At this stage, could a bad reference result in me not getting the job? I'm just thinking about who to put down, they want me to put down everything i've done in the past 3 years with work an education. But i've a feeling that one of my employers might not give me a great reference.. Should I just leave them out?
Yes it can.

Unlikely that an ex employer would give a bad reference (too much chance of being sued) BUT they will likely give "Worked here between x and y".


Everyone knows what that means.



Never burn your boats.
The thing is I didn't really leave on the best terms, I kind of just told them that I had to leave to do exams, and that was that. Looking back, it was one of the dumbest things i've done.

I dont want that to be flagged up in a reference though.

Simbu

1,905 posts

201 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
IIRC past employers aren't allowed to give 'negative' references, and some employers won't give any reference at all beyond confirming your period of employment (just as company policy). How well this works in practice i don't know (and i could be wrong, see what others say).

In my experience two references are sufficient (last employer & character reference) but o2 might want more.

Good luck with it all!

Soovy

35,829 posts

298 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
PapaHett said:
Soovy said:
PapaHett said:
So I just got a call from o2, and i've been successful with the Interview. But when I applied, I submitted my application online, and couldn't figure out how to attach my references. So they want me to put them on tonight, and then arrange an appointment or something tomorrow.

At this stage, could a bad reference result in me not getting the job? I'm just thinking about who to put down, they want me to put down everything i've done in the past 3 years with work an education. But i've a feeling that one of my employers might not give me a great reference.. Should I just leave them out?
Yes it can.

Unlikely that an ex employer would give a bad reference (too much chance of being sued) BUT they will likely give "Worked here between x and y".


Everyone knows what that means.



Never burn your boats.
The thing is I didn't really leave on the best terms, I kind of just told them that I had to leave to do exams, and that was that. Looking back, it was one of the dumbest things i've done.

I dont want that to be flagged up in a reference though.
Doesn't sound like a problem, so long as that's all it was.

Your reputation is valuable, and fragile!

okgo

41,882 posts

225 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
I doubt they would bother to check anyway...


KimmyM

177 posts

219 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Employers are not allowed to give you bad reference's anymore so we have been briefed. They can give you no reference at all, which is as bad as a bad reference.

Most large based companies only do dates due to it being the HR team and not your actual hiring manager that you worked for.. or it's an agency in which they never actually saw you work.

I would maybe ring your past employer first and ask? no harm in that

PapaHett

Original Poster:

2,124 posts

202 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Here's what o2 says:

o2 said:
If you have been employed for the past 3 years please provide your employer details.

If you haven’t been in work but attended an educational establishment (school, college or university) during the past 3 years please supply their details.

If you have attended an educational establishment and been employed during the last 3 years please provide both their details.
I've been in Education and Part Time Employment. :idk:

Edited by PapaHett on Monday 2nd November 23:25

Bonefish Blues

35,938 posts

250 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
KimmyM said:
Employers are not allowed to give you bad reference's anymore so we have been briefed. They can give you no reference at all, which is as bad as a bad reference.

Most large based companies only do dates due to it being the HR team and not your actual hiring manager that you worked for.. or it's an agency in which they never actually saw you work.
Employers are allowed to give a "bad" reference as posters have termed it, if it's accurate.

Truth is, we don't bother as it's just too much grief, so in effect nobody gives any meaningful info much beyond dates of employment, job title & reason for leaving (which is where the OP may possibly come unstuck).

PapaHett

Original Poster:

2,124 posts

202 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Bonefish Blues said:
KimmyM said:
Employers are not allowed to give you bad reference's anymore so we have been briefed. They can give you no reference at all, which is as bad as a bad reference.

Most large based companies only do dates due to it being the HR team and not your actual hiring manager that you worked for.. or it's an agency in which they never actually saw you work.
Employers are allowed to give a "bad" reference as posters have termed it, if it's accurate.

Truth is, we don't bother as it's just too much grief, so in effect nobody gives any meaningful info much beyond dates of employment, job title & reason for leaving (which is where the OP may possibly come unstuck).
Hmmm.. I'm not sure wether or not to put down the employer I left quite suddenly then..

Bonefish Blues

35,938 posts

250 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
PapaHett said:
Bonefish Blues said:
KimmyM said:
Employers are not allowed to give you bad reference's anymore so we have been briefed. They can give you no reference at all, which is as bad as a bad reference.

Most large based companies only do dates due to it being the HR team and not your actual hiring manager that you worked for.. or it's an agency in which they never actually saw you work.
Employers are allowed to give a "bad" reference as posters have termed it, if it's accurate.

Truth is, we don't bother as it's just too much grief, so in effect nobody gives any meaningful info much beyond dates of employment, job title & reason for leaving (which is where the OP may possibly come unstuck).
Hmmm.. I'm not sure wether or not to put down the employer I left quite suddenly then..
Realistically it depends how many jobs/study courses you have had in 3 years - we write to 2 referees, usually last 2 employers.

With a recent student we would also write to their college. Unlikely O2 will write to all previous, if there have been a few.

PapaHett

Original Poster:

2,124 posts

202 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
Bonefish Blues said:
PapaHett said:
Bonefish Blues said:
KimmyM said:
Employers are not allowed to give you bad reference's anymore so we have been briefed. They can give you no reference at all, which is as bad as a bad reference.

Most large based companies only do dates due to it being the HR team and not your actual hiring manager that you worked for.. or it's an agency in which they never actually saw you work.
Employers are allowed to give a "bad" reference as posters have termed it, if it's accurate.

Truth is, we don't bother as it's just too much grief, so in effect nobody gives any meaningful info much beyond dates of employment, job title & reason for leaving (which is where the OP may possibly come unstuck).
Hmmm.. I'm not sure wether or not to put down the employer I left quite suddenly then..
Realistically it depends how many jobs/study courses you have had in 3 years - we write to 2 referees, usually last 2 employers.

With a recent student we would also write to their college. Unlikely O2 will write to all previous, if there have been a few.
There's been two employers, and one school. One employer if I leave the other one out, and the other one is my Mum's chemist. But I wont be putting down her name on it.

Tangent Police

3,097 posts

203 months

Monday 2nd November 2009
quotequote all
I'll do you a kick arse reference. £20.