UserNotFound profile picture
UserNotFound profile picture

UserNotFound

Account Executive

Politicker
Notorious Answer
Valued Contributor
+8

Job search: References

I'm wondering if all the hiring managers out there would accept references from past clients, rather than past employers? I'm struggling to come up with professional references that are both recent enough to be relevant (cannot use my current or previous employer) and trustworthy enough not to tell anyone that they're serving as a reference in my job search. I tend to become friends with many of my clients and I know I have several that would say yes for me- but does it look bad if I don't provide ANY previous leadership as a reference? 

My alternative is to utilize people that I reported to on some Non Profit Boards. 
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WR Officer
9
👑
Given most companies want three references these days I'd offer up as such:

1. Manager you directly reported to, even if it was six years ago.

2. Person you reported to on the NFP board.

3. Client

It's a good idea to explain why you're not offering your most recent manager up as a reference. Don't be dramatic about it, just say that the manager there was upset you left for what he perceived to be as the competition, the new prospective employer will understand.
NoSuperhero
Politicker
2
BDR LEAD
That's a pretty solid approach. I've recently haven't had any requests for any but I have 2 previous managers at hand that can provide feedback and only personal contacts. My question is, do these people actually reach out to these people?
Beans
Big Shot
3
Enterprise Account Executive
That's a really interesting approach.

I like it, it would show your ability to build rapport and champions.

However I still think you need some story of success internally too. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Totally agree, which is why I'm struggling on this one. I wondered if my Non-Profit volunteerism experience would translate since I did report to the President of the Board... ? 

If you think it's a must to show a previous employer, I could reference several older positions- but that experience was 6-10 years ago. 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
Why can't you use your previous employer?
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
It's a small business, and both the person I reported to and the owner of that business maintain that the company I left them for is a competitor. Realistically, it's not. The company I work for now, our core competency and the ONLY focus of this business reflects about 1% of revenue for my previous employer. But there's bad blood between the owner of the company I currently work for and my previous company. 

I can use the employer prior to that, but that was about 6 years ago. Wasn't sure if that was recent enough to really be valid?
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
5
☕️
Yeah, that's a rock and a hard-place situation. I'd leverage clients and other professional references like the board you mentioned.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
Don't think that should be a problem but having one always help.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
1
SaaS Eater
I would want to see 1 person that you reported to, even if it was 6 years ago. You can speak to the reason you arent providing anyone more recent if needed, leverage clients for 1 and then the board works as a third.

As a hiring manager I would not want to see 3 clients. That would give me very little insight into how you operated day to day. 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I would want to see 1 person that you reported to, even if it was 6 years ago. You can speak to the reason you arent providing anyone more recent if needed, leverage clients for 1 and then the board works as a third.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
However I still think you need some story of success internally too.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Why can't you use your previous employer?

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