Reference vs. Employment history... Help!?

Question

I was fired almost a year ago where I only worked there for very few weeks. It was my first real career job. I already received the job and accepted it. Now I need to meet with HR and I have 5 references (none from previous job) They are all excellent and related to the job except it was mainly internships, independent study and volunteer work. However, some I have worked with for a year to several years. I plan on putting this job I was fired from on my application under employment history. Will they just verify this place or inquire info as well?? I already gave 5 refers so I see no need why they would even contact them and ask detailed questions. I do know they will only tell just little bit of info. But I am wondering if they will then ask me for the actual supervisor contact info? I hope not since I do not and will now use her as a ref or give consent too. If I decline could they force me. I just dont think she is capable of assessing my abilities since its was a very short time

I'm thinking about calling my ex- supervisor to ask for a neutral ref just in case. What u think? I really do not want to contact her! However, if I let her know I have the job already maybe she will be more willing to give a neutral ref. This is a last resort situation.

Answer 1

If you had the job for truly only a few weeks, then you can leave it off your c.v. (resume) and ignore it - that is, don't even put it down for your employment history. That's because you were only there for such an incredibly short time that it made no difference in your career or overall job timeline. Of course, if you were at a job for a year or so and were dismissed, then that's another story.

Regardless, I would also be fully prepared to discuss that job if needed. Do not live in some paranoid world where you fear your bosses will question you. But in the event this job does come up, be prepared to discuss what happened - truthfully - in a very calm, precise manner. Even rehearse it if you need to.

You do not mention how long you were there exactly (other than a "few weeks") nor do you say why you were dismissed. It's rare for a company to dismiss someone after just a few weeks. It takes so much time, effort and money to hire someone, that employers always give their new employees time to adjust and grow into a job. It's very possible, though, that you worked for some lunatic who had wildly unrealistic expectations of you and wanted perfection from day 1. If that is the case, find a very eloquent, diplomatic way to discuss your job. State that when you accepted the job, you were quite happy and enthusiastic. Eloquently state that your former boss, whom you do appreciate dearly for giving you that opportunity, provided no instruction and no time to learn company policies, yet unfortunately expected an immediate impact (all companies have training periods for their new employees). As such, it became clear in a very short time, that it was best for all if you moved on. And leave it at that.

You can also state the above if you feel that you must be 100% honest and list that job on your application or c.v. Just be prepared to state what I wrote above (or whatever is appropriate for your situation). NEVER speak poorly of that job or of that boss, no matter how frustrating it may have been. Just state that it was a mismatch of expectations and it was in everyone's best interest for you to move on. Be thankful you had the opportunity and stress that despite your short time there, you did learn a few things (and see if you can find a few items which you can discuss - such as a new procedure you may have learned). Then that's it. Do not dwell further on the topic. Speak of that job with a smile on your face.

But really, for a job you had for that short of a period, I wouldn't even bother listing it anywhere. As you stated, there's no way that anyone could assess your abilities in just a few weeks, so your dismissal was probably unwarranted. Therefore, don't mention it.

Of course, this is assuming you were dismissed because your boss felt you did poorly at your job (for whatever reason). If you were laid-off, then that's completely different. Feel free to list the job, and say that you had the gross misfortune of bad timing. You loved the job, but sadly started just weeks before the company went through a round of lay-offs. As the new employee, sadly, you were amongst the first to be let go. No employer will look badly at that.

I'm editing my reply because I see you made a slight edit to your question. If you REALLY insist upon using that last job in some form (putting it on your resume or on the application under employment history), you can ask that this employer not be contacted. But again, be prepared to discuss your situation as I wrote above. If you feel your former boss will be contacted, you can try to alert your former boss. But I wouldn't. Just let it be. If you have 5 glowing references, but one from a person who clearly is a bad boss (because, unless you did something catastrophic, no employer would dismiss an employee after just a few weeks), then your new company shouldn't hold it against you. However, as I stated a few times, for a job that you didn't even hold for a month, don't even list it on your resume. Your resume is a reflection of your experiences and what you can add to the company. Clearly that job provided little of both. If though, you list this job and your former supervisor is contacted AND if your new employer asks specific details about why you were dismissed, again, be honest, but spin everything in a positive manner. Do not state a weakness, per se, but rather what you learned from that situation. Speak of how you better learned to work with people, including those who are challenging. Speak well of your former boss, stating that while it was a short time, you did learn about deadlines, working with challenging coworkers, etc. State that while it was unfortunate you were not a match for that job, it benefitted you in many ways and makes you that much better of an employee now. Keep everything positive. If you do, this will reflect well on you. One negative thing said or insinuated, can hurt.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Your employment history is asked for to get a feeling for what you have done before. It is possible that you may be asked who your supervisor was and that supervisor may be contacted. That supervisor will probably have very little to say, since you only worked there a short time. Not allowing contact with the supervisor may look odd and you don't want any odd things coming up. Your other references should more than make up for the brief, if any reference given by a former supervisor. Most supervisory people are unlikely to express anything particularly negative about a former employee. It makes them look bad for hiring that employee in the first place. Don't worry over it.