How to Get Job References When Being Laid Off

Most companies, when they are laying off employees, refuse to give job references. For those that have been laid off, it can fell like being licked when they are down. Jobs are hard enough to find in these rough economic times without having your hands tied by your former employer. A company is not going to pick you from the 20 or so applicants for their position if you do not have good job references.

As you apply to different positions, while you are laid off, you will notice that most companies want a minimum of 2 job references. If your former employer refuse to give them citing legal issues, where are you to get them? Friends and family are not going to cut it if you want to get hired. There is a way to get good job references when being laid off, if you know how to get around the rules.

Step One

Take a look at the other people who are being laid off to find some job references. You can use coworkers on your application for new employment. The best job references that you could get this way would be from a supervisor or trainer that is being laid off as well. You may be asked to be another person's job reference in exchange for their help.

Step Two

Approach a supervisor that you know well and have worked with for a while. Even though they are still going to be employed by the company. Many people will be sympathetic about you being laid off. This may be enough for them to bend the rules and give you a job reference. Just ask nicely and hope for the best.

Step Three

Include asking people that you have worked with at your precious employer, the one before the position that you got laid off from. Many hiring managers realize that it is usually company policy these days not to give any type of reference, even to people who are laid off. This is one of the reasons it is a good idea to keep in contact with past coworkers. This networking can be a great asset to you when you are laid off and looking for your next job.

Tips

*Always ask someone in advance if they will be part of your job references before putting them down.

*Send a thank you not to all of your job references once you get hired for a new position.