How can I "get around" a bad reference?

Question

While I am very good at what I do and have outstanding performance reviews, my last supervisor and I parted on bad terms ending with me filing a grievance. I am now staying home until my kids are older, but worry about what interviews/resumes/ references will be like when I do decide to reenter the workforce? Is there a way to get around having to include my last boss as a reference?

Answer 1

Yes

Give the corporate office phone number to contact, they will just say you were a former employee and how long you were employed.
If there is no corporate office, then just put the general phone number down and hope they don't talk to your former boss or he's gone by then.

These days companies are more concerned with your credit history and how long you stayed with former employers then anything else.

Answer 2

If you're staying home with your kids for any length of time, the extra gap created on your resume by leaving the job off won't hurt you. Just don't put your last employer. If for some reason you feel you must, explain on your application or in your initial interview that you had a conflict with your supervisor. It happens....

Answer 3

The good news is that most companies give out very little information. Typically all a potential employer can get is confirmation of start and ending dates. Sometimes they will reply to rehire eligibility and occasionally they will confirm ending pay.

They're afraid of lawsuits and just don't give out much information. That's why potential employers rely on credit reports to detemine responsibility and management skills.