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It took me eight months to find work, now I find myself in a bit of a situation.

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Anonymous

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It took me eight months to find work, now I find myself in a bit of a situation. My prospective employer has hired an external company to run reference checks. I supplied two references as requested of my most recent employment. The second reference that I provided covered the period 2014-2020 which is a significant period however, the company closed down in 2020 and along with that all the company emails and website were shut down. Meaning that I provided a gmail address for the HR contact.

The reference checking company has come back with a response that they can't find the company online and won't accept a gmail address.

I am a bit annoyed about this because companies close, I didn't realise that only formal company addresses can be used for reference checks? I checked on the internet archives and managed to get some references indicating that the company had a website between those years. Further, in the part of the world where I was working some companies don't even have websites because internet penetration and digital literacy is below 25%.

I don't know what else to do for this reference checking company to understand the situation. I would hate to lose this employment opportunity because of this situation. But this reference check agency is being difficult - the wording in the email indicated that they don't believe that this company existed. Any advise?

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  1. Anonymous

    Thanks Elizabeth. What I don't understand is why the reference check consultant did not do a search on me and company name as I won so many prizes for the work that I did through that company. I guess I could ask some clients to verify that I worked there. It doesn't help that the company was in a developing country where things are so very different to the UK. Let me see whatelse they will now request.

  2. Anonymous

    I've been in a similar situation and providing W2s was able to resolve the matter.

  3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    Are they doing reference checks or employment verification? If they're trying to verify employment, see if they will accept pay stubs or W2s.

  4. Anonymous

    Send the reference company copies 8f your W2s and search LinkedIn foe anyone who can offer a reference.

  5. Anonymous

    I would hope you would have shared this with your contact/hiring manager of the new job. They do need some proof, do you have paycheck stubs? Any form of tax records? It's really not their issue as their doing their job they've been hired to do. I hope you find a way of providing proof.

  6. Cyndy Trivella

    Please speak with your contacts (recruiter and hiring manager) at the potential employer. The background check company is just working within the guardrails of the agreement. They cannot use common sense and make judgment calls on their own. You showed evidence that the former employer is OOB, and yet have maintained a viable contact there to serve as a reference, which is amazing. The potential employer may appreciate that and make the call with accepting this reference or not. The bottom line is, this is their call.

  7. Anonymous

    Thank you. Yes, I have to speak to them.

  8. Anonymous

    I would reach out to the HR person in the company you are going to, explain the situation and ask if a copy of a pay stub or other could work. If you have none of that perhaps a bank statement with your direct deposit or a redacted version of your tax return which should have that information. You could contact your state regulator and look up their FEIN number - which is the federal employer Identification number. Any one of those should satisfy. Most companies do outsource to 3rd party companies for background checks and this is specifically for legal reasons so that if they find something "dirty" the company is not at risk. Don't stress too much, worst case you find the former HR person from that company and perhaps they can write something for you.

  9. Heather Cutler

    I was in a similar situation where a previous job refused to respond to multiple employment verification requests. As an alternative, I provided a W2 (sensitive info redacted) to confirm my time with this organization.

  10. Liz Milne

    Tell your prospective employer that the company has closed and that there isn't any official entity to offer proof of employment, then ask them what they want you to do about it. It's not your fault, as you say, companies come and go.

  11. Anonymous

    Something similar happened to me and I supplied my W2 as proof of prior employment for a position from years prior.

  12. Anonymous

    Same with me, I supplied the W2.

  13. Anonymous

    100% I have had to supply w2 s twice and it was sufficient. Be sure to cover up all financial info though. You don’t owe them that

  14. Judith Sheehan

    That was a very good call! Honestly, I’m not sure if I would have thought of that.

  15. Anonymous

    You can also get a letter on their letterhead- former if someone still has it confirming your employment along with an old paystub.

  16. Anonymous

    I was in a similar position and it was as if the wind blew all my former co-workers to different parts of the world. I manage to track down a few via LinkedIn, etc. and asked them for their new contact information (business email etc.) and then provided that information. After a conversation with a couple that confirmed my employment etc. they were accepted. It's as you stated, sometimes "companies close" especially during Covid! Good Luck!

  17. Colleen Dolak

    Does the HR contact have a job at a company? Maybe they would be willing to provide that email address. As a general rule, I reach out to anyone I list as a reference to let them know they might expect a call on my behalf. Good luck!

  18. Anonymous

    Definitely reach out to the hiring manager while you work through this so that they can put pressure on their side.

  19. Emily Phelan

    Can you find the person in LinkedIn, perhaps? Also, I would absolutely reach out to the company you are interviewing with. Explain the situation to them. MANY businesses shuttered during and after covid times. This is not some bizarre thing no one has heard of. Good luck!

  20. Chrissy Regan Smythe

    Explain the situation to the potential employer. I’ve had jobs where we didn’t have a phone number! All it takes is a quick google search to see the company existed. Or through the local tax office.

  21. Anonymous

    Thanks Chrissy, yes, they have me linking up with ex-employees to get the documentation from the tax and social security office as they staff here in the UK at the background check company does not seem to have the language skills or exposure to query this in the country where I had the company. Yes, I will be providing this as feedback to my prospective employer.

  22. Joanne Blomberg

    It is their job to investigate. They should be able to verify that this company existed and has since closed. Not your responsibility.

  23. Anonymous

    Thanks Joanne. Not so simple, because I am in an English speaking country in the Northern hemisphere. The start-up was in a non-English speaking country in Africa and if you don't know the system, it is rather difficult to verify. I wish it was not my responsibility but they are making it my headache. Yes, I should speak with the my prospective employer about this.

  24. Tammy Dirksen

    As indicated by this very smart group, a paystub or W2 can give the proof they need of employment as that is all they are really doing for the background check. I ran into this same issue several times as I have been through several start ups that have since vanished and found links on the web showing company closed etc and sent that all into the background company it all was sufficient. Unless you robbed a bank or did something terribly illegal you should be OK ;) You got this!!

  25. Anonymous

    Thanks Tammy. Nothing illegal other than a start-up that was self funded and with the outbreak of Covid I just couldn't continue as it was in one country and I was in another country. The start-up I hope I have sufficient information to demonstrate that I worked there. The issue is not this person who retracted his offer to confirm that I did consulting work for his agency.

  26. Nancy Cincotta

    There are websites that verify the legal status of business entities. For example, dates of incorporation or LLC, etc. is that an option in the country in which you worked? Surely they had to have had some status it’s that country’s government to do business in it. Hope that helps.

  27. Anonymous

    Yes, but not in the least developed countries where setting up is still maintained in manual registers. I am slowly getting the information together might it might not all be together within the time frame required. Why I thought it was a good idea to provide these two references I don't know. Guess because I did not want to provide references that were older than a decade. Lesson learnt.

  28. Ida McCarty

    I was in a similar situation when I started my last position. I was told that a W2, paystub, or my income tax statement for those years were sufficient. Good luck!

  29. BrandieFarmer

    Im sorry I have noting on this topic. Best on your endeavor as you navigate through this. There are various interesting responses attached.

  30. Jenn Etheridge

    This happened to my husband and we were able to provide the old W2 statements from our tax returns to show that he had worked there for the years in question, and that satisfied the reference check. I was so glad I had kept everything organized and could easily find them

  31. Onnya Morrison

    Here are some suggestions I found, hopefully they will help you. I pray you have much success so that you don't lose this opportunity. You have been given some good advice from others on this topic.

    Search for online sources that can provide information about the company that closed down, such as news articles, business directories, or official records. You can use these sources to show that the company existed and when it ceased operations.

    Write a letter or an affidavit stating that the company has been dissolved and that you are not responsible for its closure. You can also explain your role and responsibilities at the company and highlight your achievements and skills.

    Consider using a third-party service that can pre-verify your work experience, education, and background. This can save you time and hassle and give you a verified resume that you can present to potential employers.

    You can try to contact the state labor department or the unemployment office where you worked. They might have records of your wages and taxes that can show your employment dates and earnings.

    You can also check your credit report for any information about your previous employers. Some credit bureaus include employment information in their reports, such as the name of the company, the address, and the phone number.

    You can also use your personal network to find people who can vouch for you. You can ask your friends, family, or acquaintances if they know anyone who worked at the same company or industry as you. They might be able to connect you with someone who can provide a reference or a verification letter.

  32. Anonymous

    Thank you. These are good suggestions. However the background check company wants very specific information from very specific sources. Additional work and I do feel that I am close to losing this opportunity now that the second referee has decided against providing a reference (why I have no idea as I delivered the work on time as a consultant). Wish they had just said no instead.

  33. Anonymous

    I’m so sorry this is happening. This is sometimes the hardest part of getting a job. So sorry for that second reference. As others have said, I’ve run into this where a small company I worked for shut down so W2’s sufficed. Pls keep us posted. We’re all rooting for you.

  34. April Miner

    Wage and earning statements for this time period and or tax forms will verify an employer.  However, it will not verify a reference,  Find another professional reference.  

  35. Anonymous

    I was the employer and working in a country where all the documentation was offline until 2016 so it is the formal proof of start of employment. In addition, as a non-resident in that country I had to close out my bank account on departure. Not all so easy when we dealing with frontier markets. They won't accept another reference. I learnt my lesson on this one.

  36. Anonymous

    Thank you everyone. This is rather complicated as I was the founder of my own company which

  37. Anonymous

    Thank you for your suggestions. Much appreciated.

    So for my own company which was in another country to the one where I am seeking work, and where I only sometimes paid myself, I have to demonstrate my work contract, official documentation of the company opening and closure. As I was not a resident (and didn't pay myself) didn't have a bank account so can't show salary but did pay into the countries local social security through the company paye as you earn, whether that shows my name remains to be seen.

    As luck would have it my second referee for the background check has decided to withdraw his offer to provide information. This is tricky.

  38. Annetta Moses

    You mentioned that the company wants references. A reference is different from employment verification.

    If they want a reference, provide two additional references.

    if they want employment verification, check your records. Do you have W-2 forms that indicate you worked for the company? Do you have your employment contract or offer letter from when you were hired? Do you have your resignation letter?

    Good luck.

  39. Anonymous

    Write to the New York Post and tell them all about this. Then they can print a smear piece on this company. Always my first choice whether I get the job or not. DO NOT LET THIS GO UNPUNISHED.

  40. Anonymous

    This is very unprofessional and low brow behavior. There is no need to contact a rag and smear an organization. This is just way over the top behavior.

  41. Anonymous

    Cancel culture doesn't work in this example. Fact is, people just flat out lie on applications now (I am not offering that the poster has or is in this circumstance). More and more companies are now tightening down on how back ground and reference checks are performed. Laws prevent prospective employers from acquiring much needed information. I suggest that if a person is going to use a reference, that they contact the reference first and let them know to expect the email or phone call. By the way, the reference research company works for the employer NOT the applicant.

  42. Victoria Zona

    Have you had a phone screen with an HR contact. Honestly this just happened to someone i recently hired. I would contact the HR screening person and shanty his exact information.

  43. Patricia Manroe

    I just recently graduated from college. I've started applying for jobs. But I have a problem, I've been disabled for the last 21 years. I don't have the contact information for anyone at these companies. Some of the companies are out of business too. So I guess I am in sort of same boat as you, to a degree.

    I too don't know how to get any of this contact information these days.

  44. Anonymous

    Sorry to hear that you are going through this situation. A real nuisance. I have the contracts.

    The country I was working only started digitising their social security records in 2016 and requesting for proof will take 6 weeks. Yes, not all countries are as advanced. I have the contracts of employment and the closure of business and partnership dissolving statement. I am hoping that is sufficient.

  45. Judith Sheehan

    Have you tried searching for former co-workers, employees, & bosses on linkedin?

  46. Susan Pickman

    Provided information on the company from D&B and employees whothere when you. IRS OR Social Security information would be good. LinkedIn ids a great source of information.

  47. Anonymous

    I ran into the same thing with my latest position. I reached out to the former CEO of a company that I worked for for 16 years - company imploded in 2018 and the jerk never bothered to respond. Fortunately, a couple of my direct supervisors and my W2’s for that company did the trick. Moral of the story, keep those W2’s. They may be the only way to prove your employment at a company if they go out of business.

  48. Mary Meffe

    I only use references that I am still in contact and give their current email addresses. Can you track those people down and get them to respond to the hiring organization and reference checking company for you?

  49. Anonymous

    I learnt a bit about the process. Firstly, ensure that you only provide work or formal email addresses, even if the company has no Web presence or it is a one man agency, it has to be a formal Web address. Secondly, if you are the company CEO/founder have the formal contract written up between yourself and your company and have those end of service paperwork between yourself and the company in place and endorsed with the company stamp. I complied with this so it was OK in the end. Thanks for all the support.

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