How to Mitigate Negative Job References

By Jennifer Anne Hohman

Even the most successful PA career hits the occasional snag that can make transitioning to a new position challenging. Aside from potential contract disputes, a frequent trouble spot is obtaining a positive reference from a former employer with whom there was a conflict.

So, how best to handle references from employers with whom you did not leave on the best of terms? In many cases, I’ve found that a cordial, frank discussion with them can really help. In the conversation, you might remind them of positive aspects of the employment relationship and that you would appreciate their support as you move on with your career.

Many times I’ve seen employers become bitter when a great PA leaves their practice, and allow this feeling, rather than the PA’s actual performance, to color their assessment of the PA’s work. It is not legal for a former employer to make baselessly negative statements about you and doing so could provide the basis for a defamation lawsuit.

If you have concerns about the quality of referrals being provided by a former employer, you can hire a company to investigate what they are saying about you; Google “reference verification service” for more information. If you discover that the referral is negative through this or other means, investigate the company’s policy on providing a reference. If that policy does not protect you (PAs employed by small private practices may be in this situation) or if a reference continues to malign you, you might consider hiring an employment attorney to draft a cease-and-desist letter.

Going forward, if all else fails, you may need to simply warn prospective new employers that this particular reference won’t be a good one. This warning allows you to provide context and framing for what they might be about to hear. If you don’t do this, they may never tell you that the reference is why they rejected your candidacy for the job, so the time to speak up is before they place the call.

How you explain it depends on exactly what’s behind the bad reference, but your goal is to put it in the best possible light. Discuss what you consider the positive aspects of the employment experience—what you accomplished, how you cared for your patients, and even what you learned about the sort of workplace and culture where you would be happier than the last, less than ideal one. If you were in part at fault for the negative reference, be open about any mistakes you made and what you learned from the experience. Maintain a professional, constructive tone—no matter how problematic the last employer may have been, it won’t serve your candidacy well to speak about them in harsh or defensive terms.

If your relationship with an employer went south only after you announced your intention to leave, let it be known that you had enjoyed positive reviews before deciding to move on. Definitely enlist the support of former colleagues from this position who can speak to your quality of care if possible.

In summary, realize that this is not an uncommon issue and you may face it at some point in your career. Resolve to keep a positive outlook and don’t panic. You will have a chance to represent yourself effectively during the interview and will have the support of your positive references when over-coming this hurdle. You’ll get past it and on with your practice, as daunting as it may seem.

 

Jennifer Anne Hohman is the founder and principal of PA Career Coach, a service dedicated to helping PAs create rewarding, healthy and patient-centered careers. Contact her via email.  

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