If you've only had 1 or 2 previous jobs it's not a given you can get an enthusiastic reference. Some workplaces are just miserable all around, and some previous bosses may say they'd be happy to give a reference when they're still bitter the employee left or they had some personal grudge.
Sure, this is why the one time I needed recommendations I just pointed to friends. They explained how wonderful I am.
This was a specific situation though: an American company doing business in France and not aware of the specificities here: you are not allowed to contact previous employers (except to confirm start and end date of a previous job), and plenty of other things you are not allowed to.
They had to check a mark so whatever they got they were happy with.
I that case I honestly do not understand how that system works. The applicant provided references they could expect not to be enthusiastic?