Validate Your References

Frequently, hiring organizations request applicants to provide references from previous employers.  When I am counseling job seekers, I encourage them to develop a list of references to be provided when applying for jobs.

A word of caution is in order, however.  An article the November 14, 2013, issue of The Dallas Morning News, “Reference Letter Not Worth the Paper It’s on” on page 1J describes a situation when a boss gave an ex-employee a reference letter to be shown to potential employers.  After showing the letter to a prospective employer, the hiring manager called the company for a verbal confirmation of the reference letter. The writer of the reference letter would not give the OK on the phone. Such a situation is at best embarrassing and probably disqualifying for the job.

I suggest that job seekers negotiate what a previous employer will say about them.  One should never give contact information for a reference to a potential employer without first getting approval from the contact.  Even if the employee had been discharged, the employer may agree to provide a positive job reference.

If there has been a major disagreement between a job seeker and his/her previous employer resulting in a dismissal, I suggest that the job seeker use the name of a co-worker who understands the situation as a reference.  Of course, the co-worker must agree to provide a positive reference.      

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com with your experience with obtaining positive job references.   

Thanks, Glyn

Good to be Home!

We always enjoy returning home after being away on a cruise or other extended trip.  Visiting other countries gives us a chance to compare our lives with those in other countries.  Many peoples in other lands while proud of their countries do not have the wonderful life style which we frequently take for granted. 

For example, for older adults such as me, The Americans with Disabilities Act provides us many mobility issues with aids such as hand rails on stairs and convenient elevators.  I might add, however, that the airports we used provided welcoming assistance with wheelchairs and directional assistance.

Discussions with citizens in the Black Sea region indicated that the unemployment rate especially among younger adults was very high, in the 20 percent range.  However, from personal experience with our grandchildren, I know jobs are also scarce in the United States for recent college graduates.  Some of the cities we visited seemed very active with commerce while others not so much.

We have returned home with a greater appreciation for the advantages that the United States affords us and are committed to be contributors to our wonderful society. 

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com with your experience with travels to other countries.   

Thanks, Glyn

Coming Home

We are leaving Venice, Italy, today and will be back in Dallas and blogging this week.
Glyn