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Vanity (need advice on job interview....how to deal with a former bad supervisor)
self | 06-16-2013 | self

Posted on 06/16/2013 11:15:36 AM PDT by ak267

I'm in the process of interviewing for a job and the application lists references (which I listed) but they want to talk with former employers. NE has a law stating that former employers can talk about former employees (within certain bounds).

A few years ago, I had falling out with a former boss where she verbally snapped at me (within ear shot of other workers). In addition, I was having problems with my father's health (terminal cancer) and the closing out of his estate (messy situation).

I explained my condition to the HR department and I offered two weeks notices. Considering the economic climate and layoffs at my workplace (and my situation) they allowed me to leave that day.

Now, I don't now how to explain this to a potential employer.

Advice?


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KEYWORDS: advice; employment; references
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1 posted on 06/16/2013 11:15:36 AM PDT by ak267
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To: ak267

Be honest about it. If it is a one time issue, then it is probably no problem. Also, if you have been changing jobs a lot it may raise a red flag.


2 posted on 06/16/2013 11:17:57 AM PDT by Perdogg (Sen Ted Cruz, Sen Mike Lee, and Sen Rand Paul are my adoptive Senators)
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To: ak267

If you are an “At will” employee, you may want to look elsewhere...otherwise, have fun with it in your next interview.


3 posted on 06/16/2013 11:18:33 AM PDT by gorush (History repeats itself because human nature is static)
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To: ak267

If you must explain (it’s not clear you need to), the way you did just now should be fine. You say it was a few years ago? I hope you have more recent employers because a prospective employer would be far more interested in what they would have to say.


4 posted on 06/16/2013 11:18:53 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty (I am a dissident. Will you join me? My name is John....)
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To: ak267

Be honest about it without bashing, keep it short.


5 posted on 06/16/2013 11:20:04 AM PDT by Java4Jay (The evils of government are directly proportional to the tolerance of the people.)
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To: ak267

Downplay the incident, and use as a reference someone at that job with whom you enjoyed a better relationship. Especially helpful would be someone now in a supervisory position. Especially important: Prospective employers can generally ask the question: “If a suitable opening were to occur, would you hire this person to fill it?” Find someone in your old workplace who and answer in the affirmative.


6 posted on 06/16/2013 11:20:17 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Doing the same thing and expecting different results is called software engineering.)
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To: ak267

Any chance you could plead ignorance and say that the supervisor who worked at that company may have moved on? Lacking a name at that company, perhaps these other individuals may be of more interest to the company which is presently interviewing you? I wouldn’t suggest lying, but why not play a little dumb? You are not mandated to turn over names of people who may hurt your chances.


7 posted on 06/16/2013 11:21:56 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy
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To: Cyber Liberty

Yes, employed right now . I left my previous place a few years ago and got a job a few months later when the funeral/estate was taken care off.

Closing down a farm wasn’t as easy I though it would be.


8 posted on 06/16/2013 11:22:05 AM PDT by ak267 (THORIUM....ENERGY OF THE FUTURE!!!!)
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To: ak267

Whats wrong with saying you left the company in order to deal with your father’s affairs? Unless your ex boss is a real vindictive jerk she’ll not sabotage your opportunity.


9 posted on 06/16/2013 11:23:34 AM PDT by skeeter
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To: ak267

Don’t use that supervisor as a reference... not in today’s job market...


10 posted on 06/16/2013 11:24:20 AM PDT by latina4dubya (when i have money i buy books... if i have anything left, i buy 6-inch heels and a bottle of wine...)
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To: ak267

Your former employer can say two things: yes you worked for them and a. they would hire you back b. they would not hire you back - that’s it.


11 posted on 06/16/2013 11:25:37 AM PDT by svcw (If you are dead when your heart stops, why aren't you alive when it starts.)
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To: ak267
If you gotta give a name, give them your HR manager's name because if your HR manager is smart, they will know that they can't give any bad review of you unless they can back it up with documentation.

Your ex-manager on the other hand might not be so smart..........

I worked in HR for over 30 years and the corporate mandated policy for all plants was that any time an employment verification request came in to HR, the only information we were allowed to give out, with the employee/ex-employee's written authorization, was dates of employment and job position held and reason for leaving. No further explanation was permitted......

12 posted on 06/16/2013 11:25:57 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (This space for rent)
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To: ak267

If it should come up, I’d explain it just the way you did here, honestly and sincerely.

There’s an adage in sales, overcome the objection (answer it) then instill the need (in this case, your value as an employee.)

Best of luck!


13 posted on 06/16/2013 11:26:51 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (Rats vs. GOPe = Same train, different speed.)
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To: ak267

You apparently have had other job(s) since that incident.

Unless you are specifically asked about it, just list the reference.

They may not contact her.

If they do contact her, she might give a standard response. Many employers will not give a bad reference, for fear of lawsuits, should the applicant find out.

Those things are always tricky. If asked for details, just give your side. If not asked, don’t volunteer.


14 posted on 06/16/2013 11:27:00 AM PDT by TomGuy (.)
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To: latina4dubya

I didn’t list her a reference. My references are more current (Sr. Trainer, manager, Sr. Clerk/assistant supervisor). All of them see my work on day-to-day operations and I know they’ll give a good review (I asked for their permission to be references and they told me up front they’ll give a good review.

If I don’t get this job, I use it as a learning experience. It will still hurt because it would offer $2 more per hour than I’m currently making.


15 posted on 06/16/2013 11:29:16 AM PDT by ak267 (THORIUM....ENERGY OF THE FUTURE!!!!)
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To: ak267

The new employer should be communicating with the old employers hr department. You left to settle your fathers estate.
Not a problem.


16 posted on 06/16/2013 11:33:13 AM PDT by RedMDer (When immigrants cannot or will not assimilate, its really just an invasion. Throw them out!)
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To: ak267

List me as a reference. I’ll cover you. :)


17 posted on 06/16/2013 11:34:47 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: ak267

Wise former employers limit discussion of former employees to date of hire, date of departure and job accountabilities. Subjective assessments are strictly a no-no in HR world. If it’s a touchy, difficult situation with a fair amount of he-said she-said, resulting in a termination whether voluntary or involuntary, they may not even allow your former supervisor the opportunity to expose them to potential legal action.

So, be honest but idealize the circumstance. Avoid negative personal obserations and keep it to facts, not subjective opinion. You had a few differences with your former supervisor, that led you to the conclusion that seeking other opportunities was the best course of action to take and you did so.

If you have good experience and no other examples of such a situation, it shouldn’t really pose that large of a problem. If there are other instances, you’ll appear temperamental and petulant to the potential employer and it will pose a problem. They’d hire you if you were the only candidate they’re able to locate capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the position, and they had a very pressing need to fill that position.

Speak the truth but put yourself in the best light possible. Avoid personal comments, your former supervisor is an abstraction to them. There are poor supervisors, they’re well aware.

Good luck.


18 posted on 06/16/2013 11:35:17 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: svcw

In my state, I understand, all the former employer can say is “yes, worked here,” and “worked here from such-and-such a date to such-and-such a date.”

Anything more than that and they are toast.


19 posted on 06/16/2013 12:19:26 PM PDT by Hulka
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To: Hulka

Yep, what former employers can say is really limited.


20 posted on 06/16/2013 12:24:30 PM PDT by svcw (If you are dead when your heart stops, why aren't you alive when it starts.)
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