Long-term jobless face issue with references

Unemployed candidates need to get creative in landing work

Earlier this month, Bruce Hurwitz, CEO of recruiting firm Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, had a finalist for a position with a company where he places employees. When Hurwitz asked for references the candidate sent three names: His clergyman, a man that introduced him to his wife and his brother-in-law.

“My client literally laughed this person's candidacy away,” Hurwitz recalled.

Unfortunately, failing to come up with solid, professional references can doom your job search.

“Serious reference checking tends to happen late in the hiring game after interviews but before a final decision is made,” explained William Holland, author of “Cracking the New Job Market: Seven Rules for Getting Hired in Any Economy.”