You're Qualified--Why Aren't You Hired?

It is a job-seeker's market, and employers are eager to hire. Yet, countless job seekers are finding they are not getting callbacks for positions for which they are more than qualified. Where is the disconnect here? It frequently is due to unfavorable reference feedback given to the job seeker's new potential employer, maintains Allison & Taylor, a professional reference checking company.

Many job seekers are making three assumptions that often are incorrect: only those references that the candidate lists will be contacted; if a former employer is contacted, he or she simply will redirect the call to Human Resources; Human Resources only will confirm an individual's employment dates and title as company policy.

Here are five reasons why job seekers should have their references checked before applying for a new job:

* The company's comment policy may not be what you think it is. Reference checking firm JobReferences says many of its clients feel certain that a former employer "won't tell you anything; ifs against policy." Too often, they are unpleasantly surprised to find out this is not the case; employers often say unflattering things about former employees. This is particularly true of former bosses and supervisors.

* Your reference may not be saying what you expect. A lukewarm reference can be just as damaging as a negative one. Is your reference presenting you in the best possible light? If not, it is time to rethink your references, because if feedback is anything less than glowing, they are damaging your chances of landing that job, not helping them.

* Your information may not match the HR records. A former employer may have a different set of employment dates, position title, or...