How to Get a Job Reference When a Company Refuses

A job reference can be a crucial element that determines the outcome of a job application. A strong reference from a reputable company can be highly respected by hiring managers, but the absence of a reference at all can be a red flag for some HR departments.

According to a recent SHRM survey, 87% of employers do reference checks as part of the hiring process. This highlights the importance of having at least one solid reference prepared for the interview process, but what happens when a company refuses to give you one?

This article will help provide a few tactics on how to get a good job reference even if a company refuses.

Why Would a Company Refuse to Give a Job Reference?

While there are many companies that are happy to provide a reference, some organizations have adopted policies that limit or prevent them from providing references.

1. Limited References Policies: Some companies have policies that prevent their employees and managers from providing references. Instead, any reference requests are directed to the HR department, which provides a reference based on standard information (i.e., Salary, Position, Employment Dates, etc.). In some cases, they may also reference notes or information from managers and co-workers.

2. No Reference Policies: Other companies may have a policy that completely refuses to provide references, and any queries to the contrary are simply directed to the HR department for refusal.

Organizations may have adopted policies like this for a few reasons:

• Fear of litigation due to negative references
• Reduced operational costs of providing references
• No legal obligation to provide a reference

Alternative Ways to Get a Job Reference

If a company has a policy against providing job references or is simply refusing for another reason, then job seekers need to find other ways to provide evidence of their experience, professionalism, and desirability as a candidate.

Seek Out Managers Who No Longer Work For That Company

Company policy no longer affects employees who are not actively employed by that organization. While there may be some contracts that do restrict certain activities even after a period of employment (such as a Non-Disclosure Agreement), usually, a manager is able to provide a job reference if they no longer work at that company.

Get a Job Reference Letter Pre-Written

Another strategy to get a job reference is to secure a pre-written letter that can act as a job reference whenever you need it. You may be able to get one of these from a manager before you leave a company, or you may be able to submit a letter to HR for approval after your departure. Although a written letter is not valued as highly by hiring managers, it can be a useful tactic to ensure you have a job reference whenever you need it.

Go To a Decision Maker in the Company

While policies may prevent some employees from providing references, it can still be effective to approach higher-level leadership to see if they would be willing to provide a reference. It can be difficult to gain access to executive leadership at times, but they may respect your efforts and be open to providing a reference despite company policy.

Collect LinkedIn Recommendations

A good practice is to collect recommendations on your LinkedIn profile as often as you can, particularly after you have made a professional accomplishment or received a promotion of some kind. Although this is not a perfect replacement for a job reference, it does provide you with an alternative option when someone asks you to provide one.

Convince a Previous Manager to Provide a Personal Reference

While some policies restrict managers from providing job references, they may be willing to bend the rules a bit by providing a personal reference instead of a professional one. This may need to be facilitated through their personal email or during after-hours, but it can still be appreciated by a hiring manager, particularly if they are aware of the company policy that is preventing a professional job reference.

Be Honest if You Can’t Get a Job Reference

In the worst-case scenario, you should always be honest if you can’t get a job reference. Whether it’s a policy, a specific employer-employee issue, or simply an inability to find the right person’s contact information, it’s best to be completely honest as to why you can’t get a job reference.

Hiring managers will respect your transparency, and although it’s not ideal, you should do your best to provide alternative solutions to demonstrate your professional qualities. A job reference is not the only aspect of the job interview process, so ensure that your resume is up to date, you approach a job application with strong interview skills, and you always remain optimistic through the journey.

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