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Fake Job Reference Agencies Claim to Make You Look Good
Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose, but using businesses that offer fake job references is a shady idea. Companies like CareerExcuse.com and Alibi HQ will pretend to be a previous employer and act as a reference when a potential employer calls.
CareerExcuse offers a three-day trial and then charges customers $64 for each year of service.
Job Search Tip: Gather a Mix of References
By now you should have a few people that would speak positively on your behalf if a potential employer came calling. It's even better if you can provide a mix of references. Instead of supplying only a list of your superiors, it adds depth to your character and work ethic check when you name at least one colleague.
Your Two Cents: Would You Ever Go Back to an Old Employer?
Hopefully you haven't burned bridges with previous employers so that you can use them as references going forward. But would you ever consider crossing your in-tact bridges to return to a company where you used to be an employee?
Photo courtesy of ABC
Your Two Cents: Would You Ever Go Back to an Old Employer?
Ask Savvy: How to Handle References When My Job Search Is on the DL
Dear Savvy,
I read your recent post on references, and have a question for you about giving prospective employers job references. What is the etiquette if I'm currently employed and actively seeking a new job, but am trying to do it on the DL as not to make it obvious to my current employer that I'm unhappy at the job? Do I give the prospective employer the go-ahead to contact my current employer as a reference, blowing my cover?
Choosing References That Will Make You Look Good
Whether or not you think it's okay to lie on your resume, chances are you won't have a reference to back up any details beyond innocent embellishment. If you're a recent grad, the best references are your supervisors from internships and mentors from your major's department at school — believe me, as an entry-level applicant an employer will surely give them a call. Once you've been in the working world for a while, employers will usually contact your references and you should always offer a prospective employer your sheet of references, even if they don't ask for it.
Other Search Results
When to Stash or Trash Important Papers
Some of us are pack rats by default; we don't know how long to keep what we think are important documents, so we store them in boxes indefinitely. Clueless clutter makes it difficult to find something when you actually need to reference it. Stop storing trash and get organized when you learn how long you should hold onto certain papers.
Would You Barter to Get What You Want?
Old-school savings are back in a big way. The recession has created a new generation of coupon clippers and deal hunters. But, it's not just about groceries and retail — even on big items, like home renovation.
Savvy Links: 10 Ways to Conquer Procrastination
- 10 ways to conquer procrastination — Kiplinger
- How the recession will lower your heating bill this Winter — Walletpop
- Man wins lottery prize during embezzlement case — Yahoo News
- Are consumers adopting greener behaviors or just cheap? — Consumerist
- Yes, fake job references are a very bad idea — The Job Bored
Goodbye Free Stuff, Hello Better Credit Card Practices
Times have changed since I was in college, and I'm not just referring to the escalating cost of tuition. Banks hawking everything from free t-shirts and water bottles to free pizza used to set up their tables around the university center attempting to attract unknowing students to sign up for credit cards. As of February 22, 2010, those banks won't be allowed to coerce young adults with free stuff in exchange for completing credit card applications.
10 Ways to Write a Better Email
How you write a work email isn't going to make or break your career (well, in most cases). But your email etiquette can affect how seriously you're taken, and even how well you're liked, in the workplace. Read on for 10 things to keep in mind before hitting send.
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