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aleeshia · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hello there! This is my first time joining the forum.

I'm in a predicament and would really appreciate all the input I can get.

Here's the thing: I've done the job testing, did the interview and now the time has come for me to give references.

I worked for the same company for over 12 years and recently got fired (weeks before my interview) because the employer found out that I was unhappy with my job and had been job searching for well over a year and JUST LOST IT! Unfortunately, I can't give the employer as a reference nor any of the few employees remaining there because my lawyer has initiated a wrongful dismissal case.

I have references of people that had worked with me there and have since moved on to other companies, so that is not a problem. But how do I explain that I got fired (the question never came up during the interview) and that I can't give the name of the employer as a reference?

PLEASE HELP!!! ASAP.

lilo · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject:

I understand you're worried but things can be done in this extent so stop that and focus on rather being great during the interview, ok? Very Happy

So...read this to see how one should explain the reasons for which he has been fired:
http://www.cvtips.com/justification_for_being_fired_interview.html
As you can see, we have gathered some good pieces of advice.
You should know that if you don't want to list your previous employer as reference in your cv, you can choose to do that. And if they want to call him eitherway, you can refuse that and motivate you don't consider him elligible to offer you a correct evaluation.

aleeshia · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi Lilo,

Thank you for your advice and great site (CvTips.com).

Aleeshia

dorothea · Expert Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 123 Career Advice: +1/-0

You list whatever references you want and if you don't want to mention your previous employer, this is not a problem. BUT, the truth is that if the current-to-be employer does want to speak to your previous one, he can actually do that, without your approval. It is his right to check your background. So, it is far better just to say something like lilo specified (he's not elligible to offer you a correct evaluation) than to hide the reasons for being fired totally (or the fact that you've been fired).

Public Service Jobs · Newbie Joined: 03 Mar 2007 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hi aleeshia,

I agree with the good advice on this site. I would be honest, and if asked, explain that your employer found out that you were unhappy with your job and had been job searching for well over a year, and let you go. Make sure you do it in a non-defensive way without attributing blame. I would not mention the legal case at all though, keep this one quiet - it will make everyone nervous!

It's great to hear that there are others that you can use as referees. If you've ever done any volunteer work, this is a good source for referees as well.

Good luck, after getting to this point I hope you make it!

Vanessa

www.publicservicejobs.com.au

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