Fake Job References: Career Killer or Career Savior?
By rachel zupek on Aug 27, 2009 in Career Advice, Featured, Job Search
I felt that familiar feeling of writer’s block this morning — not only for the many articles I have to write, but also for my morning blog.
While perusing my TweetDeck for inspiration, an interesting link caught my eye: “Smart or sleazy to fake job references?” Immediately, I thought “sleazy” but I was intrigued to click through to see what it was about.
I expected to see an article about the consequences of lying about your job references in an interview. What I saw instead was an article about not one, but two companies that will act as your past employer and provide false job references for job seekers.
CareerExcuse.com is a Web site that says it will fill in the gaps on your resume by acting as your past employer. It will provide job references, complete with working phone numbers and people on the other end of each line ready to answer questions posed by prospective employers.
“At least I know I was able to help someone get a paycheck and provide for himself and his family,” says William Schmidt, the creator of the site, told ABCNews.com.
The other Web site, Alibi HQ, which also offers fake landlord references and fake doctor’s notes, says the interest for fake employment has skyrocketed over the last year.
“Here’s how Alibi HQ says its service works: It sets up a working phone number for a “fictitious” company that it passes on to a job applicant. When a prospective employer calls the number, one of more than 20 Alibi HQ staffers answers the phone and “confirms” that the applicant used to work there.”
I mean…for real?
My reaction to this is that it’s outrageous! What happens when one of these companies provides a reference for a convicted felon who goes on to commit another crime in his or her future workplace? Or when they give a glowing review for someone who has been fired several times for unethical work behavior and does the same thing in the new position?
Each of these services argues that it draws a line on who it will and won’t provide its services: Alibi HQ staffers never claim to represent companies in existence today, and the company does not provide employment references for mortgage refinance applications or employees applying to work at financial sector companies — including bailed-out banks — government organizations or contractors who do government work.
CareerExcuses doesn’t provide references to government applicants and also declines to provide references to those applying for jobs in the medical profession.
Oh, well I’m glad you’ve set some boundaries. C’mon — is this supposed to make it OK?
As we’ve stated several times, we here at The Work Buzz are true believers in good old fashioned honesty. Lying about your criminal history, past employers, employment gaps, reasons for leaving your past companies or even about your education, will almost always come back to bite you.
Although it’s not easy to be honest about some of these situations, there is always a way to turn a negative into a positive.
In my humble opinion, these services are not only unethical, but they seem to be a unlawful, too. What do you think?
Check out these articles and blogs about answering tough interview questions:
Heather Huhman | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Rachel,
Here’s a copy of the comment I posted on the ABC Web site:
I am appalled at this one-sided story about prospective employees paying for fake references, getting away with it and thinking this action is acceptable.
What CareerExcuse.com and AlibiHQ.com are doing is not only fraudulent, but they are also putting individuals who have legitimate references and job experience at an unfair disadvantage for being honest with their future employers. References are among the most valuable resources a job candidate has, but these “companies” make it impossible to tell whether or not someone is being truthful about their background.
I am the founder and president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers, only allowing participation from members who come highly recommended. Web sites like CareerExcuse.com and AlibiHQ.com weaken the message behind my business and exacerbate the problems entry-level candidates are already facing in their job searches thanks to the economy and, comparatively, their lack of experience.
Real references are not hard to come by if you are who you say you are. Anyone who is not related to you can serve as a reference and a reference does not have to come from someone who you got along swimmingly with; you may not like your boss’s personality but chances are, if you do good work, he or she thinks highly of you regardless of personal differences. It is never okay to lie or mislead about references.
Marc Miller | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Even if you use their services to vouch for you working at a company that no longer exists but that you did work for, common sense should say that you should use a contact who used to work with you at that company. There is no ethical reason to use a service like this one. Even if you want to hide your past, *withholding* information is very different from lying about it.
HR Minion | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Wow, this all kinds of unethical. Not to mention grounds for termination if it was discovered. I understand some people feel desperate but this goes way too far.
Kevin | Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
I find it funny that so many people would find this unethical. Since when is business ethical? As an employee you are just a number to the company you work for. At will employment means they can fire you for no reason (even after you’ve moved 000’s of miles) and their response is ‘oh well’. If enterprising people use this service to get a job I say good for them. It is HR’s responsibility to ensure references are accurate and if they fail to do their job that is their problem. Besides, if once you are hired you do the job well who cares?
Anonymous | Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
I admit, it as unethical, but perhaps necessary. My spouse’s job was eliminated so we had to move to because an opportunity presented itself in a new location. I had to give up my job and can not find a job in my new location. We can not sell our house in our old location and I desperately need to work. My most recent employer is giving me a bad reference saying I am unreliable, which is so unfair. My child had a significant surgery and had two deaths in my family. I accomodated all of this using my vacation, sick time, and personal days. I never had to tap into FMLA. This company is the most unethical, unprofessional entity I have ever worked for. They are privately held, so they do whatever they want. FLSA laws are disregarded and there are other illegalities. It’s about survival, I have kids to feed. I did everything this entity asked me to do and then some. I’m sure the people speaking out against this have a job. If employers would be ethical, then former employees would be ethical. Just another side. I’m not saying I would or would not do this, but as my job prospects wane, I don’t know what I will do.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
Where’s my last comment? Don’t tell me there’s a moderator and I have to wait 24 hours to see if it goes through!
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
Hello?
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
What’s going on here guys? You printed my one liners but where is my three paragraph opinion that I posted?
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
OK. Shall we split this up? Is it because my article is longer than yours?
OK, to play angels advocate, I’ll agree it would be “unethical” for people who have criminal histories and whose reasons for being out of work involve intentionally malicious or negligent behaviors, out to be routed out, but of course that can still be found out on a background check.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
And the next piece:
I truly believe it’s a great blessing, and only fair that someone has finally stepped up to help level the playing field for some of us out here who have just simply had bad luck, health problems, perhaps not the best social skills or other personal problems that interfere with being able to hold a job. I would say that if the people who use these services are smart enough and resourceful enough to seek out the help they need, then they still deserve a fighting chance to make some kind of living and stay off the streets.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
I am a mostly honest person who does not have a criminal record and who has simply never developed a successful track record in his life. Everyone deserves a second chance, …and a third and fourth. If at first you don’t succeed, you still have to keep trying. This world doesn’t really give us a choice in that matter and YOU(<^<^<^) other people are just whining because you are self righteous and believe that since you have "earned" your status, that you have a right to judge others and try and keep a good man down.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
And the next piece:
People who are not trying and who abuse their chances and take things for granted will eventually fall out of work again even if this helps them. There is something called “the spirit,” which tries to help people when they are really in need and trying in earnest. But look at the state of affairs today. It takes a little more than luck and a good first impression to get a chance at a chance. It’s that chance to fulfill the need of SURVIVAL that everybody truly deserves. God bless the people who are trying to help.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
And the next piece:
By the way it’s not free! There is an investment involved that will hopefully help people value the help they are given to do better into their respective futures and hopefully get them back on track. “The system” we have today is set up to “pick and choose” against an unfair weight and measure that discards the half sprouted seeds in favor of the well rooted plant. It doesn’t have a heart. It’s not that it couldn’t… but business is business, right big boys? If you ARE NOT SMART enough to start your own shop then you simply become a “human resource,” ready to be plundered and taxed to the hilt, but only if you can squeeze your way through their “quality control” procedures as if you are some damned widget being fed down a conveyor belt ready to be implemented and boxed up, or casually tossed into the garbage. Yeah, real fair, huh? I see it from your perspective, so see it from mine.
Nick | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
Would you rather suffer and starve, or “create a story” – “a better vision” of what should have been, so that you might get the chance to start over, live a halfway decent life, and eat? When a persons back is up against the wall they will resort to doing much crazier far less legitimate things, pal. Just look at what goes on in the ghettos.
Ivonne | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Hi, I want to thank those companies thinking about the little guy who’s always struggling to make ends meet and some sleeping out of their cars or under a bridge somewhere.
We are living in what I call the highway to hell, it seems that the better technology gets the average person gets forgotten.
I mean come on, you got employers for common jobs asking for years of experience. what the…then society got the nerve to complain about Crime rising? Are you kidding me?
What the …..do you expect people to do? Yes, what in the blazes do you expect people to do when you are robbing them of their right to feed themselves and theirs and to provide a Roof over their Heads?
I can see asking for a set of requirements for careers that people go to school/college for a set amount of years but your Everyday type of job.
Come on it’s ridiculous, I feel it should be illegal to do background checks for those common jobs and I feel it should be illegal to request so many requirements for such jobs.
I look at it like this, every employer have the common sense to know and get a feel for the person within a week or two. Everyone knows to look out for certain type of behavior and if that should happen then have personnel fire the person in a responsable manner.
If people took the time to be more “Humane” we wouldn’t have 90% of the problems that occurs when firing a potential loony toone.
It disgusts me to see how people who have had their life set for them with a good family and the support they needed to become what they are now, “Be so Damn judgetmental”.
Try growing up without Family support or family at all and having to Fend for yourselves thereby committing stupid mistakes you would never had, had you been raised in a proper environment.
The fact of the matter is that most low income families come from “Harsh Realities” that some of you take so lightly and should thank your lucky stars everyday that you are not us.
Everytime someone tries to look out for the Underdog, you got the Nerve to fingerpoint what they are doing wrong.
America is supposed to be Innocent till proven Guilty but the fact of the matter is that once you make a mistake unless you are born into a lavish life or with connection by whatever routes….You are out of “Gas” because people like “You” Crucifies them for “Life”.
I’m telling you “Armagedon is so Close”…
There’s a saying that goes like this “You get what you Ask for”…by treating minorities, low income people, no employment history job seekers..Like they don’t exist and are Not Worthy.
You are Setting this Nation up for a “Great Fall” and I mean that in a World War 1V sense.
You cannot keep cornering people, allowing them to live in misery and “Think” there will be no “Repercussions”…Trust me it’s only a Matter of Time, and we are getting Real close.
When’s the Last time you Checked the “Crime Rate”..Watch out they’re coming to a “Neighborhood near YOU”…
Hope this serves as a bit of “Enlightment”,
rockstarxxx | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
i really liked the last comment, and just to say, u.k is just like the u.s for that matter, less guns thats the difference. but i for one was recently fired from my job for something that was petty and for which i could have recieved a slap on the wrist for. so now i am in a position where i probably wont get WORK REFERENCE although i worked there for about 10 years. luckly i have a job interview this coming thursday with a salary that is life changing, to me anyway. Am i going to use this service? you are dmn right i am its either that or spend years( i kid you not). i dont know if you have unemployment benefit in the us, but what we get is not enough to live on.
rockstarxxx | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
let me give you a brief out line, every 2 weeks you have to go to a job centre(god only knows why they call it that) to sit down at a desk with someone who you feel like punching because of how he/she talks down to you although in most cases they are barley in their 20’s, You have to tell them who you have begged fr a job, after the eumiliation then you sign a piece of paper. (tbc)
rockstarxxx | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
i am saying someone like me see this service as a godsend and a middle finger to my old employer
rockstarxxx | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
this what i have to say to the critics, put yourselves in my shoes. try living on £120(about $200) every 2 weeks. if you had to live on that i think you change you high ground views.
rockstarxxx | Dec 1, 2009 | Reply
besides i like how businessmen and employers give lip service to morals and ethics when it suits them, i choose to play there game when looking for a job, i leave my morals and ethics at home.
Dallascynic | Dec 8, 2009 | Reply
Let’s get this straight. Wall Street, the banks, the CEO’s who fire thousands in a shot then give themselves and their buddies massive bonuses, the guys at AIG who can’t live on 500K a year are telling the rest of us about ethics. There are no more ethics in the business world. That’s why I took another path.
If there were any ethical standards we would not have to have the layers of regulation we do. By the way the economy tanked because of those “ethical” folks in real estate.
alabamaslamma | Jan 13, 2010 | Reply
I agree. Judge not, less ye be judged. My past 2 employers ended badly. At first look, you may think that its my bad. And I would agree that I had a bad judge in people. My latest job ended because my business partner and I decided to close the business due to the economy. After the business was closed, she was more desperate than I and wanted everything from the business to help get her out of debt. I made many concessions, but ultimately we ended up fighting over the dissolution of the business. Do you think she would give me a glowing reference? Very doubtful.
The job before that was a job where I performed very well and was good at. After 2 years on the job and being promoted, I found out that the owner was into illegal activity. We discussed these items to ge them fixed though no attempt was made. Because I could be implicated, I ultimately had to turn this person in to the state board authority. Did I do the right thing, absolutely. I protected investment funds for thousands of people. Will this person give me a good reference. My guess is probably not. I would welcome any of the people that judge people who use this service, exactly what I should tell people when my potential employer asks me about my last two positions. I am a graduate degree educated person and have really drawn a blank on how to handle these.
bobismyuncle | Feb 2, 2010 | Reply
I can totally relate to some of the writers here, especially alabamaslamma.
I’m in my mid 30’s and started university a bit later in life, and i’ve completed two degrees, included a master’s.
About a year after I finished my master’s, and while I was halfway thru a term job, I got into trouble with the law.
I never told my employer about it because my union rep said I’d likely be fired on the spot, and that I hadn’t been found guilty of anything yet.
My term job ended on good terms, but four months after my term ended, I had my trial. I was found guilty and given a 6 month house arrest sentence. That was nearly four years ago now.
I have only been able to land one job since then, which I actually resigned from because I was offered another govt job. I was told beforehand that my ‘record’ wouldn’t be a problem since it had nothing to do with the new job. However an overzealous HR staffer took it upon themselves to make sure the job offer was retracted after refusing me a security clearance. (I had a security clearance from working in the military before this…and there was never an issue).
This really screwed my references over since now they were wondering “what” was wrong. The long and short of it now is…I don’t have any references. And how are you supposed to get a job without references…when you need a reference to get a job?
I made one mistake years ago, did my time, yet I can’t get back into the game here.
I can totally understand why some people would use such a service.
dilbertrocks | Feb 10, 2010 | Reply
These are some powerful responses. That’s the problem with the HR departments these days. They can’t consider “outside of the box” type of situations. When I was laid off due to outsourcing, I took advantage of the time and went to Europe where I had previously lived for 10 years. It’s funny because when the last HR person asked me why I was laid off, I said, “due to outsourcing by the company.” So what did you do after that? I explained my visit to Europe for several months. There was silence (phone interview). It was as if I was making it up to her. Do these idiots have a brain? HR = Human Retards!
charles | Feb 17, 2010 | Reply
issues and issues!
I know a guy who achieved an MBA but could find no job.
He used hollow references and got a 50 000 USD job in Africa as Human Ressources Manager in a multinational company!!!!!!!
He had next to no knowledge in HR and had to undergo a 14 days reading of several books which look to have been enough because this is his fourth year on service in the same company!!!!
Private driver, private residence and all the luxury you can’t even afford to think of!!!
Some people are talking of ethics! Real competence works in some domains but not everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!