Mark Cohen, Job-Hunt's  Human Resources Expert, will answer your questions.  We hope that by answering your questions from the perspective of an HR manager, Mark can help you either navigate through the bureaucratic haze that HR sometimes becomes or help you ask the right questions to get what you need.

Ask the HR Manager: Ask the HR Manager Home How can I get a reference from my boss? Can I negotiate my severance package?

Question: I contacted my former boss for a reference / recommendation and she told me that the HR department told her she’s not allowed to give references. The job I’m applying for requires three references. What can I do?

Answer:

Have no fear, there is a solution, but first let’s understand what’s going on.

Many companies have this policy because they don’t want to be sued. The company is afraid that the manager will say something damaging and they will end up in court. It happens all the time. For example, in a reference check:

Recruiter: Would you hire Adam again if you had the opportunity?
Manager: [Long pause] Ah, ah, ah, probably.

This, too, happens all the time. Sometimes this is just the manager being asked a question they didn’t expect. But it may cast a shadow of doubt that could hurt the candidate, and this less-than-glowing response in our litigious country could result in a suit. So from the company perspective, it’s simple - avoid the headaches by forbidding all recommendations.

Companies care about managers acting as agents of the company. Therefore, the solution is to ask your boss for a personal reference. Suggest that they talk to the recruiter from home or a personal cell phone. If it’s a letter, have them write it on their own stationery rather than company letterhead. Everyone wins.

One last thought: be really, really sure you have a positive relationship with the person you ask for a reference. This may sound obvious, but you’d be shocked at some of the things people say when asked, “What do you think of…”

Bottom Line

Mark will answer new questions every month. Please send your questions to questions at Job-Hunt.org

© Copyright Mark Cohen, 2010.  All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Mark Cohen is an experienced Human Resources leader who has worked for many employers.  He offers his assistance in this column to help you navigate through the sometimes-puzzling processes of  Human Resources departments.

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