I had a car accident last year and decided to leave my job earlier this year to concentrate on finishing uni. Now that I'm finished (and doing much better), I'm looking at getting back into the workforce - only problem is, most jobs want you to have your current or immediate past supervisor as a referee. I'd had lots of time off in my previous job, which my boss wasn't too happy about, and I've been "thrown under the bus" before.
Question is: how can I approach the issue with prospective employers? Can' I just say I'm not in contact anymore and provide a colleague (which is technically true, since boss no longer works there)? Also, do I have to bring up my past history? I've been told that they're not supposed to ask, but I had it backfire on me really badly and now I don't know what to do?
2 Replies
I would do as you said - advise potential new employers that your previous supervisor is no longer at your previous workplace and you are no longer in contact with them but you would be happy to provide details of a work mate. You only need to bring up relevant past history - there's creative ways to tell people things too lol. Don't let a past mistake take over your future :) stay postive & best of luck with the job hunting!
Don't provide any referees UNTIL asked for them by this time you will have had one or 2 interviews and will have established some sort of rapport with your potential new boss. By then you'll have a better idea of how honest you can be, you may be able to allude to the fact that you had a number of absences because of XYZ and the hiring manager may not care given that you're past it now. You be the judge. As someone hiring you I would insist on having 1 referee as someone you reported to so how about a previous Manager or supervisor? Also a lot of companies have policies that 1 referee must have managed you at some point in time.