The reference check that took 6 weeks to clear

I got a job offer in Austin back in March and figured the background check would be done in a week, but the reference check dragged on for 6 weeks because one former manager moved twice and changed her phone number. My new employer kept calling the old restaurant, and the GM there kept saying I was "fine" but wouldn't give a straight answer about my duties, which made HR nervous. Has anyone else had a former coworker hold up a hire by being vague or hard to track down, and how did you fix it without sounding pushy?

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piper_green11d ago

Six weeks is wild, but honestly the real red flag here is that your old GM couldn't explain your job duties. That's not on you though, that's on them being lazy or shady. You might have dodged a bullet if HR got spooked, because a place that patient with a messy reference check probably values thoroughness. The fix? Next time, line up two or three solid references upfront, not just the required ones. If one goes dark, your contact at the new job can pivot to the backup without you having to chase anyone down. And don't forget to give your refs a heads up on what the new role involves, so they can actually speak to your skills instead of giving vague "they were fine" answers. Also, tip for the future: ask your old manager for their personal email or direct line before you leave any job. That way you're not relying on a random GM who barely knows you. The hiring people won't see you as pushy for handing over better contacts, they'll see you as organized.

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