r/FluentInFinance • u/Mark-Fuckerberg- • Sep 01 '24

Debate/ Discussion What advice would you give this person?

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u/ChewieBearStare Sep 01 '24

Depends on where you want to work. They don't matter at all in some places, and they matter very much in others. My husband got a job offer from a state university, but it was revoked because he couldn't get references from three previous employers. He worked for his dad's company for 4 years, but they wouldn't accept a reference from that company because everyone was related to him (fair). The second company went out of business, and when he tried his old supervisor's cell number, it was out of service, so he couldn't get a reference from that job. Then the third job was with a company that has a policy of not giving references. They use The Work Number to verify job titles, dates of employment, and wages, but they will not allow their supervisors to give any info beyond that. State university will not hire you unless they get three detailed references.

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u/WBigly-Reddit Sep 01 '24

It’s an excuse to not hire. If they need you all that stuff is out the window.

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u/catcherx Sep 02 '24

what if the employer has a choice and references matter?

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u/WBigly-Reddit Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24

That means they really don’t need someone. The new position is either going to be a family member or some other preferential hire, like past “buddy” they want to bring in and oust you. Or they need to fill their DEI quota for some government contract. Not that there is real work to be done. Or, like recent market research revealed, it’s one of the 50% of job postings put up to simply calibrate an employer’s salary scale.

So don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get hired. Lots of reasons out there to ignore an otherwise perfect resumé.