This first-time manager in IT hires a new member for his team, but the new guy doesn't work out well, reports a pilot fish who's also on the team."That was despite the fact that he had received glowing references from his peers and prior employers," fish says.

"In one of our bull sessions, the manager complained about those inaccurate references."Fish finally gets tired of hearing the naive complaints and decides to clue him in.

"Look, only an idiot would give someone as a reference who would speak poorly of them," he points out.

"Remember that!"And for all you know, that 'professional reference' could be a good personal friend of the candidate who doesn't mind saying the candidate is a great worker when they're actually a complete slacker.