I am a wife and mother. At 54 years old,I find myself having to find a new job. I was let go from my job of 12 years because they 'eliminated' my position, 'laid-off', it was termed. I was collectively bullied by my boss, her cohorts, the human resource director, all of the 'powers-that-be' at this small one-office company, so they ultimately let me go after not being able to harass me into quitting (yes, adult bullying DOES exist!). I am telling you this to paint a picture-I CANNOT use this experience as a reference for any job I want to get; regardless what the law says can, or cannot, be said about me will NOT matter to these people. Thus, I cannot allow any potential new job to contact them. This has NEVER happened to me, just as I did at this place, I have ALWAYS had a good reputation on every level, anywhere I have worked in the past. I have always been able to proudly list my previous jobs and former bosses, knowing they could only give me a glowing review. But how do I prepare my resume in this case??? I am totally at a loss. Has anyone been in this position? Thanks for your insight and wisdom! p.s Know of any great places for a person to work in the DFW area who has medical clerical and customer service experience? If they will train me, I can learn, so I am willing to try something new, even!.
Documenting the experiences gained at that job and using that employer as a reference is very different.
Prepare a seperate reference sheet to provide upon being asked.
~C.
These days, I have been reading a lot about how references don't need to be given unless asked for. If there is a way to word it, just give certain references from different employers (if asked) and say that they have the most knowledge of your skills and attributes and feel they would be able to give the most knowledgeable information to any prospective employer. Or if there is anyone at the office that you were just let go from that was not in the bully-pack, use them as the reference if possible.
Good luck on the job search!
Your resume needs to list this company, and your accomplishments while there. Resumes don't list boss' names. Your references can be from your other previous employers. I'm sure that in 12 years, you have several good stories to tell about your work at this company for your resume.
If asked in an interview about your relationship with your boss, have your story ready. The "story" is admitting there were issues and also talking about what you did to attempt to improve things between the two of you. In the end, it is OK to share that the "fit" wasn't right and it was time to move on. Your answer needs to be without emotion and without personal attacks on anyone at this company.
In the future, as soon as any bullying behavior starts, begin a job search.
Any reference is better than nothing when you are talking about 12 years of experence. Obviously you must have been doing something right.
Consider asking a co-worker, past or present if they would be a willing reference to the kind of work you did and the fact you did work there. Maybe someone at a company you worked with while working at you last job?
You could also face the problem and request a letter of recomendation from your current employer. Sometimes they are so willing to get you to leave quietly they will write one. lol you may be surprised!
Good luck to you!
I guess my question would be: How do you plan on explaining a 12 year job lapse if you aren't planning on putting this on your resume? While your previous job is no love lost I would recommend that you still put the job on your resume. It is a very competitive job market right now and you want to be able to tell them what you have been doing so it doesn't look like you have done nothing for the last decade of your life. I would add some kind of footnote to the resume asking them to not contact this employer for references. Explain to them that you have references on request. If they ask why you don't wish for your previous employer to be contacted have a well practice, un-biased response ready. "There was a difference of opinion and I did not feel like I was a respected team member" etc. If I have a resume/application where they ask me not to contact the employer it is courtesy not to call. But they will ask why.
A friend of mine has a local client who is looking to fill an opening on his staff for a full time Office Manager. He is an attorney with a practice just North of downtown Dallas. He has a successful and growing practice. He has competitive wages and health insurance benefits. The job description is attached. This is an existing position. The incumbent contracted Leukemia and has survived but won’t return to work. I can forward the email, just send me your contact info....
Prepare your resume and use this job as experience. When asked if they can contact them - you can say no and it should NOT affect their desire to hire you.
I would go to my local unemployment office and look at the want ads there. They have counselors (or at least should) who have experience in writing resumes and getting the resume seen.
I know that when I interview people - if they state I cannot call their current or most recent employer - yeah - I might be hesitant - however - I can tell you that if you have the skills I need - I will go to the boss before that. Even if it is 12 years ago - and I will hire you. I will let your experience and your abilities speak for themselves. IF I have to let you go - I would do so within the first 60 days.
you have to list the employer on your resume but you don't have to list them as references. i believe by law, if they are contacted by your prospective new employer, they can only tell them the dates that you worked and the reason you are no longer with them. if your position was eradicated and you were essentially laid off, that is what they'll say, which isn't that big of a deal in this economy. and fyi, no matter what you do, if you get an interview, do not go into the spiel that you just went into here on mamapedia. i was recently hiring for a position and we got a very promising lady who had a similar story. had she not said anything negative about her company, i would've granted her a 2nd interview but she just gave too much information and it was unprofessional so we decided to go with another candidate. only give them the basic information. ie. "why did you leave" answer should be "my position was eliminated and i was laid off". short simple and professional. good luck!
Now days in is common for a former employer to only verify date of employment and position. That's it, nothing more. They are more apt to look for your Facebook page and run your credit report.
~A.
You could call the HR director of your previous company and tell them that you do not authorize them to give a reference on you. Let them know the only thing they can give are your dates of employment. Legally, they cannot give a reference unless you authorize it. You do need to list your work experience on an application... they will be able to find it on a search of your previous employment...if you don't list it, they may think you falsified your application. You will also need to list your reason for leaving. Perhaps say - it was mutually agreed that it was time to leave.
