Ask the Recruiter

Q. I had two interviews for a staff writing job and was then asked to provide references, which I did. I didn't get the job. Am I both within my rights and wise to ask if any of the references had something negative to say about me, and if so, what?

My understanding is that a reference check is the last step before hiring, so it seems that if something tripped up my hiring at that stage, it'd behoove me to know what it was so I can either correct it or reconsider who to list as references.

Thanks,

Paul

A. You are certainly within your rights to ask. And I, as a hiring manager, would be within my rights to decline to say anything. I would never want to basically hand someone the ammo they need to sue someone who had just given me a reference check.

A lot of other things might have happened to that job. A hiring manager might say, "Your references said only good things about you. You were a very qualified finalist, but we went with someone who seemed to us to be an even better fit. But your references were not a problem."

If the hiring manager said that, you would sleep better.

An alternative, if you run into a tight-lipped hiring editor, is to go to your references, tell them that you didn't get the job and ask whether they might have any idea why. Also ask whether they think you should keep them as a reference. A weak or ambiguous reference from someone who does not know your work well can hurt you, but is certainly not actionable.

So, ask a couple of the parties and then draw your own conclusion about what happened and whether you should keep the reference.

What's your question about a missed opportunity? E-mail it to me at joe.grimm@gmail.com. I'll send you an answer you soon.

Coming Monday: Six months after a buyout from Newsday, she landed a job at a journalism school and learned she has patience.