I am casually job hunting on the side at the moment while working full time and I know eventually I am likely going to receive a job offer contigent on job references. The thing is, I don't like particularly reaching out to the few references I have every two years to bug them, pretend how I care what they've they've up too and overall just plead for their praise so I can get my job. Additionally, I also had a couple jobs that didn't end particularly well, one of which ended with me being let go and the other just ending sort of awkwardly where I haven't kept in touch with anyone. So I'm wondering if anyone has any strategies on turning down job reference requests. This is specifically targeting corporate non executive level work if that helps. I would not prefer to lie or obfuscate if at all possible.