topic Re: References for Part-time Job? in Among Friends

References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:17:40 GMT

Hi Friends,

I retired a few years ago, and am currently seeking PT work, 16-20 hrs/wk.

I have an interview in 2 weeks.

The email confirmation says references should include a recent supervisor.

Unfortunately, my last supervisor and I had a mutual dislike of eachother, thus, I was HAPPY to accept a retirement package when it was offered. However, I certainly will NOT use her as a reference.

Do I use references from jobs I had 10 years ago?

Won't they wonder why I'm not using the last supervisor?

Re: References for Part-time Job?

MoInVA — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:24:30 GMT

Was the job is a company with a more senior person (your boss's boss) or a HR department you could list? Or did you have another supervisor there before the one you did not like? Most companies only confirm dates of employment and job titles these days so I don't know how much anyone would say including the one you don't like.

Do you have anyone who can be a reference for any recent volunteer work?

Re: References for Part-time Job?

ROMARY — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:34:33 GMT

If you saved your payment stubs, or your 1099 tax form, maybe that will work..........As a side note: 'Around here' stores cannot seem to find people to work. They even have flyers at the entrances, asking for customers to fill out applications. We know several long time employees in various stores, and they are being over-worked because it's so hard to hire these days. Well, that's it for my little bit of employment info, lol, as strange as it sounds. (Hard for us over here to figure out why, btw.)

Re: References for Part-time Job?

LTT1 — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:36:34 GMT

@RinaRina

I have heard (but will check to verify) that past employers cannot imply negatives about those applying for work in a new situation.

There are so very many job problems these days, that anyone seeking employment should not be afraid of getting bad references. Maybe this is not true.

It might (MIGHT) be in your best interest to answer honestly about the situation, as honestly as you can.

Perhaps a friend or co-worker to write a reference for you? HTH

Re: References for Part-time Job?

ECBG — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:44:50 GMT

I have been in the job market following retiring from teaching. I am now dealing with the aftermath of a situation where I was forced to work with a toxic person.

There are many supervisors, and that includes asst supervisors. The asst supervisor and I are very close and I am using her saying I worked with her longer if I am asked.

Good luck. Over the last 8-10 years "part time" has ended up being little to no hours one week to less than twenty the next. Hopefully, the new administration will get the jobs mess straightened out.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

CelticCrafter — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 19:25:36 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@RinaRina
I have heard (but will check to verify) that past employers cannot imply negatives about those applying for work in a new situation.

There are so very many job problems these days, that anyone seeking employment should not be afraid of getting bad references. Maybe this is not true.

It might (MIGHT) be in your best interest to answer honestly about the situation, as honestly as you can.

Perhaps a friend or co-worker to write a reference for you? HTH

@LTT1 - according to my husband and daughter, both in management positions, yes that's true.

All they can say is yes, they were employed and verify dates.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

ROMARY — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:01:39 GMT

In some workplaces, I'm guessing that the problem employee would answer the phones, and perhaps throw in a negative comment, whether or not it's legal to do so. (Some jealous/whatever people just don't care.) So, keeping that in mind, and if that's the case, I just might be honest and hint that there was a jealousy problem with one of the employees at my previous workplace. Well, thinking about it, that doesn't sound so good after all...........I don't have a suggestion right now, other than showing previous pay stubs and/or 1099 forms.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:05:51 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
@RinaRina
I have heard (but will check to verify) that past employers cannot imply negatives about those applying for work in a new situation.

There are so very many job problems these days, that anyone seeking employment should not be afraid of getting bad references. Maybe this is not true.

It might (MIGHT) be in your best interest to answer honestly about the situation, as honestly as you can.

Perhaps a friend or co-worker to write a reference for you? HTH
@LTT1 - according to my husband and daughter, both in management positions, yes that's true.
All they can say is yes, they were employed and verify dates.

Wheww! Good to hear. I wonder why they asked for "recent supervisors"? Can't they just call the HR department to verify dates?

I had 3 supervisors on my last job. Two have moved on to other things. The only one remaining is the supervisor from h*ll. She was so vicious, just thinking about her turns my stomach.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:11:28 GMT

@ROMARY wrote:
In some workplaces, I'm guessing that the problem employee would answer the phones, and perhaps throw in a negative comment, whether or not it's legal to do so. (Some jealous/whatever people just don't care.) So, keeping that in mind, and if that's the case, I just might be honest and hint that there was a jealousy problem with one of the employees at my previous workplace. Well, thinking about it, that doesn't sound so good after all...........I don't have a suggestion right now, other than showing previous pay stubs and/or 1099 forms.

Jealousy was the problem. I don't ever want to be in a situation like that again. Now, that I'm "older", I don't think it would happen again --- but you never know. You're right, tho' .. not a subject I'd mention in an interview.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:19:41 GMT

@MoInVA wrote:
Was the job is a company with a more senior person (your boss's boss) or a HR department you could list? Or did you have another supervisor there before the one you did not like? Most companies only confirm dates of employment and job titles these days so I don't know how much anyone would say including the one you don't like.

Do you have anyone who can be a reference for any recent volunteer work?

Re: "your boss's boss" ...

In the past, I'd been using my boss's boss as my reference. She was very nice and we got along.

I was going to use her (my old supervisor's boss) as the reference again, but since so much time has passed, I looked her up online and she has LEFT the company. Guess who took her place?

Just guess .....

(eyeroll)

Re: References for Part-time Job?

chrystaltree — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:23:59 GMT

No, do not use references that are 10 years old. 10 years is the cut off for references. Unless that is all an applicant has. If you choose not to use your actual supervisor, use another supervisor or manager who had knowledge of your work. It's done all the time. Just be sure to call that person and ask if you can use him for a reference. If that person doesn't know about the situation with your real supervisor, just say that your relationship with that person was "complicated" and you prefer not to use him. People often do that when they are applying for a job and don't want to give their real supervisor as a reference because they don't want their supervisor to know they are job hunting.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:26:35 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I have been in the job market following retiring from teaching. I am now dealing with the aftermath of a situation where I was forced to work with a toxic person.

Brings back memories. It is such an awful situation to be in. I was glad I was able to take a retirement package and escape.

I found out later, most of the people I worked with took "early out" packages like I did. The company pretty much just got rid of the "old" people.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:39:12 GMT

In my last job, supervisors or managers weren't allowed to give references. Those emails or phone calls all were directed to human resources.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

software — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:51:52 GMT

Most interviewers work off a script.

But in your case you don't fit the script.

Maybe they would accept a reference from someone else in your life, a minister even. Maybe a manager from a different department, someone in HR......

Always be honest. A potential employer does not need to know all the dirty details but they do deserve honesty.

Good luck.

@RinaRina

Re: References for Part-time Job?

ROMARY — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 01:23:15 GMT

RinaRina: Not only that, but sometimes jealous people just 'make stuff up'. Anything to discredit another person....and they don't seem to care how legal (or not) their actions are. It's an obsession, taking over every bit of common sense. It must be an incredibly terrible existence for some of those people. Too bad for them.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

Imadickens — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 01:47:32 GMT

In my opinion you should give them what they ask for. They will find out anyway, better it come from you. If do they call, your old advisor should tell them honestly the kind of employee you were regardless of your personal relationship. At the interview, you should do the same. It is not the time for petty complaints. If you believe you will receive a biased review from them, you could mention that you had a difficult working relationship with said person. Do not unload or exaggerate how the person managed. If you have facts, you might say something like, " I clocked in on time daily and took only 3 sick days in the 20 years I was there. I completed my work on time and as requested. If the interviewer is any good he will as you to explain any complaints your old supervisor may have written. Explain simply and honestly. Interviewers are used to people having differences but will figure you will speak about them as you do your old employer. Good luck!

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 16:57:07 GMT

@Imadickens wrote:
In my opinion you should give them what they ask for. They will find out anyway, better it come from you. .

*************************************************
Yep. They'll find out anyway. That's why they want names & phone numbers. At this point, I don't know what I'm going to do. I've tracked down two other former supervisors and no one knows "who" they are. Apparently, they've retired. That just leaves the awful wi+ch I worked under. I saw her picture on LinkedIn this morning, and I've had a splitting headache ever since. We had a BAD relationship. She was competitive and jealous. Some of the things she did to me were just awful. She'd take my ideas and then change them and tell me to do the project with her changes ... changes that basically ruined the outcome of the projects. If I disagreed with her about anything, she'd call me "insubordinate". One day she accused me of doing something I did not do. She badgered me so badly, trying to force me to admit the offense, she brought me to tears. Eventually, Human Resources got involved because I charged her with harassment. The two higher ups in HR who tried to help me are now -- "gone" also. The woman retired. I saw the guy on LinkedIn. He works elsewhere.
What a nightmare.
For part-time work, this may not be worth the bother.

Re: References for Part-time Job?

LTT1 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:29:28 GMT

@RinaRina

You might find some good answers here and the article definitely implies that this happens a lot:

https://www.thebalance.com/interview-questions-about-bosses-2061268

Re: References for Part-time Job?

RinaRina — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:47:16 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@RinaRina

You might find some good answers here and the article definitely implies that this happens a lot:

https://www.thebalance.com/interview-questions-about-bosses-2061268

WoW!

The links in this article are EXCELLENT. Lots of good answers. Gives me hope. LOL!

Thank you!

Re: References for Part-time Job?

ROMARY — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 21:54:45 GMT

RinaRina: 'Ten-four' (I hear you.) Sometimes these obsessed people are so focused on their agenda toward someone else, they will sabotage their own employer/company. And their own lives. They 'can't see straight', so to speak. All I can say is that it must be a very, very frustrating way for them to live. A personal 'prison' of sort. Lots of good luck to you. My suggestion is to just give another job application a try. Whatever/whichever way you feel more comfortable in the application process, at least you tried. 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.'