How to Handle a Bad Reference From a Former Employer
Bad references from past employers can happen to the best of us. If it happens to you, the way you react to it is vital to getting hired at a new company. Many will feel the need to become defensive or even argumentative after being condemned by a past employer. It is important to handle such a reference with maturity and grace and to strive to do better in the future, even if you feel the reference was undeserved.
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Instructions
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Contact the employer who left you a negative reference via phone or email. Ask them to specify why they found your performance to be unsatisfactory. Make sure your tone is friendly and that your words are not combative. Try to gain an understanding of the issues involved so that you adequately defend yourself while seeking out your new position.
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When speaking to a prospective employer, be upfront about any issues with a previous employer. Attempting to avoid mentioning anything about the negative reference is a bad idea. Be upfront and do not be negative about the situation. It's okay to mention that you and your former boss had differences of opinion. Just handle the issue delicately.
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When interviewing for your next position, state something non-judgmental and positive about your relationship with your former boss. Do not condemn your past boss. The interviewer will realize that not everyone gets along in this world and appreciate your honesty.
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Do not appear whiny, combative, or bitter about the negative review of your past performance. Assure your future employers that you will do everything you can to avoid a negative review in the future.
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Once you've eliminated the chance that the interviewer will surprise you with questions about the bad reference, move on with the interview. Do not harp on the negative review. Remain positive and confident. This will increase the likelihood of the interviewer considering the review an isolated incident.
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Tips & Warnings
Determine if the poor reference was valid. If you feel it was undeserved, you should ask your former boss, or his boss, to revoke the reference.
Always remain calm, cool and collected. Remain positive at all times. Do not let negative remarks get to you.
References
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