Referral for a former co-worker

[space-time]

I worked with someone before for about one year, she was not the smartest person in our group, however, she was nice and considerate. We developed some sort of friendship in our private lives. We had somewhat similar backgrounds, both of us coming from Eastern Europe (but different countries). She and her family moved, and so did we. However, we still share pictures and stuff every once in a while, and she calls my wife to chat on occasions.

The trouble is that she is looking for a new job and she put me down as a reference. She asked and I said it was OK. I did not expect to get that many phone calls from recruiters and other people interested in hiring her. I try to be as positive as possible, however I don’t want to lie to those people and say that she is the smartest, most reliable, the most innovative person I have worked with. On the other hand, I don’t want to say the opposite, since that is not true and she will definitely not get that job.

It seems that it is very difficult to find the fine line where you say the truth, however be as positive as possible and recommend that person for the job.

I wish she did not put me as a reference. Any ideas how do I get out?

[Big Daddy Cool]

Can you pay her a compliment and then say "wink, wink– nod, nod" while on the phone with the recruiter??

[timg]

No need to get out.

When they call you for a reference, only comment on the traits applicable to the job that you, as a former co-worker, are qualified to comment on.

In general, if she did not work for you, then you can comment on how she worked with others, in a team, etc. You don't need to feel pressure to "recommend the person for the job" since you don't know what the job really is. The recruiter/hiring managers just want to know they aren't getting a bad personality. If you were her boss previously, they would be looking for something different.

[lost in space]

I've had about 30 students work for me here in our university language lab and have had the same problem. Some were stars, some were duds. I always try to stay positive, in some cases just barely, others I gush, if they deserve it.

I don't sweat it. I think phone references are vastly overrated anyway for getting a potential employee's track record, but the HR people have to do something. If they hire a dud who worked for you and you gave a glowing reference, your experience with that former employee was stellar, right?

[blooz]

My boss asked me about an applicant to our company who had worked with me before in a similar position somewhere else.

I recalled (to myself) that he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that he did try and did do some creative things in a pretty humdrum position, even tho he was pretty slow. i told her that when i knew him he did a good job, that he was a little slower than some of us, and was an easy person to get along with. I also said that my assessment should be considered with the fact that it was some years since I worked with him and it is quite possible that he has improved in speed since then. Hell, i did too.