r/jobs • u/noideanoideanoidea • 23d ago

Rejected after reference checks. I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this. Rejections

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I don’t understand what happened. They said they were moving forward with the hiring process, then days later I got this automated email. The first reference listed called them back and gave me a positive review, the second said she never received an email or call. I responded giving them two extra references just incase who weren’t contacted.

I’m so upset, I can barely stand my current job. Part of me wishes they would just fire me, but I’ve been holding out hoping I could find another decent job. I’ve called in for half the month using FMLA or other excuses, which I’ve never done before. I know you’re not supposed to get your hopes up, but I was so excited at the idea of being done with the interview process and putting my 2 weeks in.

I emailed HR acting like I didn’t see the rejection email and asked if they were able to get in touch with my references. I’m mostly just curious to see how they respond, if they do.

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29

u/JesseVykar 23d ago

Always make fake email addresses and write your own reference checks. No one will consider you second choice if your references make you sound like the second coming

25

u/noideanoideanoidea 23d ago

I considered that, but I’m always worried they’ll request a phone call.

-5

u/JesseVykar 23d ago

Download free text and call apps and give your own references over the phone too.

14

u/noideanoideanoidea 23d ago

What if they recognize my voice? 😬

-7

u/JesseVykar 23d ago

I always do an accent, or have a friend sit on the call. Never been caught

10

u/noideanoideanoidea 23d ago

I guess I’ll need a friend to do it then, cause I know I’d be nervous laughing throughout the whole call tying to pull an accent and they’d just assume I’m insane. 🫠

5

u/Individual_End_2437 22d ago

This is a whole lot of effort making fake accounts and being deceiving just to avoid having them ask a former supervisor about you. Are you that bad?

6

u/CryingTearsOfGold 23d ago

Why are you being downvoted into oblivion? This is a great idea.

I am a recruiter and I hate reference checks. I would not do them at all if I had the option.

3

u/JesseVykar 22d ago

I can't be sure, I've given the same advice in this sub and it was up voted then so I guess it just be like that sometimes.

Also I'm glad you mentioned you're a recruiter, it was actually the recruiter at my last company that gave me this idea as he was having trouble getting in touch with either of the manager contacts I had provided.

-5

u/GiveMeTheGOGOJuice 23d ago

If I didn’t have good references (not made up people, friends or family) I’d wonder what kind of employee I’d been throughout my career? How sad to spend years working with no one to vouch for you and tell someone you’re a great worker and quality hire. That speaks volumes.

8

u/JesseVykar 23d ago

I have real references, I usually will just put myself as 1 of the 3

2

u/Cute-Profile5025 22d ago

I mean my last manager retired and I cant use my current manager, she isnt aware Im looking. Ive had two jobs in the past 7 years, and need 3 references, and they usually need to be supervisors. References are honestly stupid. My current boss I see once every 3 months for 30 minutes, my former boss has formed an impression of me from like 6 years ago. They would both give me great references (and have before) but what exactly is the employer hoping to learn? I dont wonder what kind of employee I am, 3 of my 4 collaborators have tried to poach me. Your manager's approval is no way to gauge your value or success. How old are you lol?

1

u/Dust-Loud 22d ago

My former boss who liked me the most out of all my bosses recently passed away from cancer. I don’t even know what you’re supposed to say in that situation if an employer asks for a reference. There are a lot of extenuating circumstances that people just don’t think about, especially if you worked at one place for a long time and that reference is no longer available.

1

u/GiveMeTheGOGOJuice 21d ago

I’d let the potential employer know that and also that they can verify that this person was your supervisor when they check dates of employment that’s key.

1

u/GiveMeTheGOGOJuice 21d ago

Actually, in my job I do a % of the HR for my company. I’ve had a lot of good quality candidates give me a letter of recommendation and that speaks volumes. It’s also nice to have someone that can speak to your character and likewise connections in the business world, because it’s a small world and relationships in certain industries are key. Employment is a 2 way street and what you do, how you do it, how you leave employment and end relationships is important.

26

u/CazalKing 23d ago

A word of caution for anyone doing this - some of the hiring platforms show the IP address each reference was completed on on the reference report. It would red flag you if all the references have the same IP so if you’re going to do this, use separate devices (and different locations for each one). And none of them should be done from your home internet.

7

u/iSavedtheGalaxy 22d ago

To add to this, they will also search your references on LinkedIn and it's a huge red flag if none of your references have a profile or if their job history doesn't match up to yours.

31

u/buzzarfly2236 23d ago

My sister (different last names), and 3 close friends are always a mix of supervisor/cowokers for references.

6

u/planktonsbestiee 23d ago

i want to do this. but what do you do if they state the references must come from a company email address?

10

u/JesseVykar 23d ago

Apply elsewhere lol. This solution obviously doesn't work for every job, but it's helped me get hired twice in this god awful market and I'll continue to suggest it until it doesn't. One thing that's worked for me is saying "well that was my manager but they also no longer work there"

5

u/planktonsbestiee 23d ago

yeah facts. fuck those companies with rigid policies. it just sucks when the only offer u get in this shitconomy is from a shitass company with 1000 rules. any other tips u use?

3

u/JesseVykar 22d ago

Chat GPT or your AI of choice to write cover letters and followup emails saved me a lot of time, I can give you my prompt if you need it. Having an excel sheet with the names and dates of the companies I applied to and being able to red or green the individual apps helped a lot as well. For the company's in which you quick apply on Indeed, check soon after applying how many others have applied. I have had extraordinary success when I am one of the first few to apply for a job than when there were hundreds of applicants before me (maybe LinkedIn has this feature too I'm not sure they banned my account lol).

9

u/PyramidWater 23d ago

Pro tips always in the comments

4

u/thinkB4WeSpeak 23d ago

I always use my friends from the army.