When a Colleague Requests a Reference

同事请你做推荐人

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在餐厅里找到美国同Amy 。

(Office ambience)

A: Hello Chen Hao. How are you?

C: 还行。不过，我有点事想征求一下你的意见。

A: What is it?

C: 你认识我们办公室的Sue吗？

A: I've worked on a couple of projects with her. Why?

C: 我告诉你，你可得保密，Sue正在找工作。

A: Why is that a problem?

C: 她让我做她的推荐人。

A: That bothers you?

C: Sue工作不是很靠谱，推荐她，那不等于说瞎话嘛！

A: What did you say when she came to you?

C: 我没直接回答她。我说那份新工作听上去是个不错的机会，然后就假称要开会，逃掉了。

A: I have a couple of suggestions for you.

C: 太好了，你快告诉我。我今天一天都躲躲藏藏的，生怕遇到Sue。

A: Let's sit down over there.

两人坐下，边吃边聊。

C: Amy，你快说说，我该怎么办。

A: Sue must have some positive traits or she wouldn't be working here.

C: 优点肯定是有，不过我得仔细想想。

A: I suggest that you make a list of her strengths.

C: 可她的缺点要比优点多得多。

A: Try not to focus on her shortcomings, but list them out, too. You can call them areas where she needs to grow.

C: 需要改进的地方？那人家给我打电话，了解Sue的情况，我该怎么说呢？

A: You begin by saying that she is a good team player, but could benefit from the opportunity to work independently and grow professionally. That makes you honest.

C: 有道理，我就说她很容易相处，但是如果有一个独立工作，需要精湛技能的机会，将对她有帮助。可是Amy,我怎么才能不去提她的缺点呢？

A: Let the interviewer know that you have worked with Sue on a limited basis so you can only speak about your experience on the team.

C: 就说，跟Sue共事机会不多，有些情况没有发言权。Amy，我有个更简单的办法，要不我这段时间干脆不接电话了，留言也不回。

A: That's cowardly. Besides it will reflect poorly on you.

C: 要这么说，不回电子邮件也行不通了。

A: You have another choice. You can tell Sue that you aren't comfortable in giving references to her because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing.

C: 这样好。我就说自己英语不好，搞不好词不达意，再说错了话。

A: It is difficult when a colleague who is not a good worker asks you for a reference.

C: 你能在重复一遍，我都有哪些选择吗？

A: If you agree to be a reference, rehearse what you plan to say. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into areas where you are not comfortable.