One bad reference out of four (other three are stellar).

[Anonymous]

As the employer, would you be swayed by one poor reference out of four?

As a nanny, if you ever had a bad parting with one employer who you know is going to trash you to a potential employer, what did you do?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

If you have enough references that are good, I’d leave out the reference that is not as good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have enough references that are good, I’d leave out the reference that is not as good.

OP here. What about the hole in my resume? I had that bad job for two years.

[Anonymous]

Was it your most recent job? I still say that 3 good references should suffice. Are all 3 good references in form of a reference letter? I would hand prospective employers the 3 letters and then if they ask about the time span, I’d fill them in on what happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was it your most recent job? I still say that 3 good references should suffice. Are all 3 good references in form of a reference letter? I would hand prospective employers the 3 letters and then if they ask about the time span, I’d fill them in on what happened.

OP here. Not letters - all my former employers are in town and happy to give phone recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was it your most recent job? I still say that 3 good references should suffice. Are all 3 good references in form of a reference letter? I would hand prospective employers the 3 letters and then if they ask about the time span, I’d fill them in on what happened.

OP here. Not letters - all my former employers are in town and happy to give phone recommendations.

And no, it wasn’t my most recent job.

[Anonymous]

What was your vibe from that family? Sometimes it could be the family and not the nanny. I'd talk to the nanny about her experience there.

[Anonymous]

I never give more then 2 references. I mix them up to not big them all when I’m looking for a new job. Most employers only check one reference. Very few have checked 2. When I’m asked for my references I give them one then another if specifically asked.

[Anonymous]

As an employer, if three references were glowing I’d assume the one bad reference was nuts. And we all know difficult and issue-plagued mothers.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny, I give references that are more relevant to a position. Sometimes it’s flexibility with schedule that determines which two, sometimes it’s the kids’ ages. My resume lists everything I’ve done, references are separate.

[Anonymous]

No reasonably intelligent employer is going to believe one over three. You can also get references from teachers in classes you attended with the bad-references-kid to attest to your skill and dedication while you worked for the bad one to make her look even worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have enough references that are good, I’d leave out the reference that is not as good.

OP here. What about the hole in my resume? I had that bad job for two years.

You leave the job on your resume. You give the contact info for the 2-3 references you actually want your potential employer to speak with. If they ask about that particular job reference, I would say they are hard to get into contact with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No reasonably intelligent employer is going to believe one over three. You can also get references from teachers in classes you attended with the bad-references-kid to attest to your skill and dedication while you worked for the bad one to make her look even worse.

+1. I have one troubled employer on my resume who seemed to have a break from reality. Her best friend offered to counter any bad reference she gave (unbeknownst to my former employer). I intend just to leave her off my reference list. My other references are glowing. I’m not worried at all.

[Anonymous]

As a potential employer, one bad reference out of four likely would not sway me too much.

As a Nanny, I would explain to a potential employer that things didn’t end well w/a certain family & that you decided not to include them as your reference.

Tell them briefly about the situation, making it general + very brief.
Important! ->> Do not speak badly of your ex-bosses at all.
Just say it was not a good match in the end.

A PP suggested you claim the bad family is not available to speak to them, but I wouldn’t encourage you to do this at all.

It sounds a little shady to me.
As if you are intentionally hiding something and/or lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a potential employer, one bad reference out of four likely would not sway me too much.

As a Nanny, I would explain to a potential employer that things didn’t end well w/a certain family & that you decided not to include them as your reference.

Tell them briefly about the situation, making it general + very brief.
Important! ->> Do not speak badly of your ex-bosses at all.
Just say it was not a good match in the end.

A PP suggested you claim the bad family is not available to speak to them, but I wouldn’t encourage you to do this at all.

It sounds a little shady to me.
As if you are intentionally hiding something and/or lying.

+1. I agree - good advice.