================================================== "Achieve Your Dreams" - Volume 13, September 2005 ================================================== Greetings! Welcome to "Achieve Your Dreams", a bi-monthly newsletter for people with a dream - - whether it's accelerating a career, changing careers, building a business, securing a new job, achieving that long-desired goal, or discovering a new life vision and direction. Each newsletter will offer 1-2 noteworthy articles, a section on "Office Happenings" and "Helpful Resources", and some favorite quotes and sayings to motivate and inspire you. In this issue: 1. Guest Article - "Seven Deadly Myths of Job References" 2. Office Happenings ("CCMC" Designation Earned) 3. Helpful Resources (Do You Need a Scholarship Coach?) 4. Favorite Quotes Feel free to forward this to those you believe would find it useful. Feedback is encouraged and appreciated. If there is a specific topic you'd like covered, please send the suggestion to me via the e-mail address below. Enjoy ... ==================================== Seven Deadly Myths Of Job References ==================================== I recently read an article by a woman who is a principal at a Michigan firm that conducts employment references for companies. She's been doing reference checks since 1984, and I thought her article was so excellent, so eye-opening and so pertinent to today's job seekers, that I wanted to share it with you. Clearly she has a pulse on what companies are doing, and what candidates have to watch out for, when it comes to those all-important reference checks. So with the author's permission, I'm reprinting it here in full. Enjoy... Thinking about your prospects for landing that new job? You should think first about what your former boss and other references will say about you. There is no doubt, for many job searchers, a person's past will have a direct bearing on his or her future. No matter what the nature of the job or pay scale, you should take your references very seriously. They can make or break a hiring decision. It is time to dispel a number of myths about job references: Myth No. 1: Companies are not allowed to say anything negative about a former employee. Reality: While many companies may have policies that dictate only title, dates of employment and eligibility for rehire can be discussed, people do break the rules everyday. This is human nature and providing a reference may be an emotional call for some. How about the boss with whom you had philosophical differences, or the supervisor who sexually harassed you? Maybe a boss was just jealous of you? Half of our clients at Jobreferences.com do receive a bad reference, despite the strict policies in place. Myth No. 2: Most companies direct reference checks to their human resources departments, and these people won't say anything bad about me. Reality: Most human resources professionals will follow proper protocol. However, in addition to what is said, reference checkers often evaluate how something is said. In other words, they listen to tone of voice and note the HR staffer's willingness to respond to their questions - both critical factors. One other note, the human resources department will divulge if a person is eligible for rehire. Are you? Myth No. 3: If I had any issues with my former boss, I can simply leave him or her off my reference list and nobody will ever know. Reality: Many companies actually check references without an official list or you even knowing. They conduct what is known as a "social security check" to determine where you have worked in the past and then call the human resources department or office administrator at each employer for a reference. This practice also is in place to see if a prospective employee has left any significant places of employment off of a resume - another bad move that should be avoided at all costs. Myth No. 4: I should have my references listed on my resume and distribute them together. Reality: Your references should be treated with kid gloves. Only provide them when asked. The last thing you want is a number of companies that may or may not have a real interest in hiring you bothering your references. What's more, you want to meet with a prospective employer first to leave a favorable impression before any reference checks take place. If you suspect a less than favorable reference from someone, you can use the interview to address the situation proactively, from your perspective. Myth No. 5: Once a company hires me, my references really do not matter anymore. Reality: Many employment agreements and contracts include a stipulation that says the employer can hire you with a 90-day probation period. Not only are they evaluating your job performance but, in some instances, checking your background and references. During this time, your new employer may call your former companies and, should the results be less than expected, they have the legal right to fire you. Myth No. 6: I sued my former company and they are now not allowed to say anything. Reality: They may not be able to say anything definitive, but do not put it past them to carefully take a shot at you. There have been plenty of instances where a former boss or an HR staffer has said, "Hold on a minute while I get the legal file to see what I am allowed to say about Mr. Smith." Many employers may be uncomfortable hiring someone who has a legal history, dashing your job prospects. Myth No. 7: There is really no need to stay in touch with my references. Reality: As the saying goes, "Out of sight, out of mind." Honor these etiquette guidelines and your references should continue singing your praises for a long time. First, call your former boss(es) periodically and update them on your career, asking them to continue being a reference for you. Make sure you thank them for their time. Next, as you move further up the career ladder in your profession or achieve new educational goals, make sure your references stay abreast of your success. As you progress, a reference is more inclined to see you in a positive light. Finally, acknowledge your references with a personal thank you letter or email; offer to take a former boss to lunch or dinner; or send them a thoughtful gift. Heidi M. Allison-Shane is a principal at Allison & Taylor, Inc., headquartered in Rochester Hills, MI. The firm operates Jobreferences.com, and has been checking references for individuals since 1984. Its services have been listed and recommended in best-selling books by Martin Yate, www.knockemdead.com. For more information, visit www.jobreferences.com, or call 800-651-2460. ================= Office Happenings ================= I'm pleased to announce that I have recently completed a 15-week Certified Career Management Coach training program and passed the required written and oral exams to earn the CCMC designation. This rigorous program provides advanced coaching and career management principles, tools, and strategies that will help me better serve my clients. I'm particularly excited about this designation as it is accredited by the International Coach Federation, the governing body for coaches worldwide, and to earn it, I had to pass a live coaching evaluation with an ICF Master Certified Coach, who played the part of a career client. And a tough career client she was! This fall, I am thrilled to be teaching two adult education classes at Lexington High School in Lexington, MA. The first class, "Finding a Job Over 50" will be held on Wednesday, October 6, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The second class, "Networking Your Way to a New Job" will be held on Wednesday, October 26, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. For those of you in MA who may be interested in attending, you can learn more about each class and register at: www.lexingtoncommunityed.org. The office will be closed on Monday, October 10, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. ================= Helpful Resources ================= Need a Scholarship Coach? - www.ScholarshipCoach.com is chock full of articles, tools and tips on scholarships, financial aid, tuition reduction, college savings plans, online search databases, and essay writing for anyone, at any age, thinking of attending college. You'll also find books and products such as, "How to Go to College Almost for Free", as well as scholarship guides for women, adult and non-traditional students, performing and fine arts, business and accounting, engineering, law school, medical school, and more. =============== Favorite Quotes =============== "All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." -- Abraham Lincoln "If you take responsibility for yourself, you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams." -- Les Brown "He who has faith has... an inward reservoir of courage, hope confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly." -- B.C. Forbes In support of you, Jeanne ****************************** Jeanne Knight, JCTC, CCMC Career and Job Search Coach jeanne@careerdesigns.biz www.careerdesigns.biz 617-968-7747 Office Hours: M-TH 8:30am - 5:00pm FRI 8:30am - 12:00noon ** If you would like someone added to this newsletter distribu- tion list, please forward their name and e-mail address to me. They will be added promptly. ** If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to me via this e-mail address. I will remove your name promptly.