job references

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Linked on the front page of the CAP career/job search website is a story and link to Allison and Taylor, a reference checking firm. Are they really suggesting that we hire a reference checking firm to anonymously call our attendings to document what they would say about us if we used them for a job reference. Really? Has anyone here ever used such a company?


http://assoc.healthecareers.com/cap/articles/whatCanYourEmployerLegallySayAboutYou.html

 

[yaah]

Frankly I can't really imagine putting down a reference that would say bad things about me. And I would like to think that if I had red flags in my training or practice, that I would be aware of them so that I would be able to talk about them. Part of a successful job application is cultivating relationships with attendings or peers so that they are willing and able to serve as excellent, effective references.

That is a little odd but not entirely surprising. There are a lot of people out there with high opinions of themselves who act shocked when not everyone believes that they are top shelf. However, I also can't understand others who would actually be a "bad" reference. Wouldn't you just decline to be one of their references if you had negative things to say about them?

 

[BierstiefelAndy]

Frankly I can't really imagine putting down a reference that would say bad things about me. And I would like to think that if I had red flags in my training or practice, that I would be aware of them so that I would be able to talk about them. Part of a successful job application is cultivating relationships with attendings or peers so that they are willing and able to serve as excellent, effective references.

That is a little odd but not entirely surprising. There are a lot of people out there with high opinions of themselves who act shocked when not everyone believes that they are top shelf. However, I also can't understand others who would actually be a "bad" reference. Wouldn't you just decline to be one of their references if you had negative things to say about them?

Agreed. One thing to keep mind of is that potential employers may also contact other faculty at the institution who is NOT on the list of references. This happens when the person hiring does not know anyone on that list well; however, he/she does know a colleague at that same institution well. The reference checking firms cannot cover this base because they would likely only focus on contacting the names on the reference list.

 

[lipomas]

Oh yes indeed. Anyone who does hiring knows that it is often beneficial to contact people you know who are not listed as references.