Looking for work - need help / myLot

Acme, Michigan

July 29, 2008 4:18pm CST

I was discharged froma company I worked for for almost 8 years. Until 2006, I got great reviews, management apprieciated my dependability and told me. I was considered a good employee. Then, a new manager came in. I made mistakes a couple of times, was wrote up and from then on she just didn't like me. In April, of this year I was fired beause of poor job performance. I started to get unemployment, then got a letter from unsployment that the company was protesting the decision that I get unemployment and established misconduct. I have a hearing on Aug 6th. Anyway, here is my problem. I'm looking for work. On "reason for leaving" I have been putting laid off, on advice from a friend that knows alot about this. But I'm seeing on applications I understand that they may inquire about my job performance and they will not be liable... Another problem companys that I worked for have closed or moved or it's been so long I can't remember supervisors last name or they're not there. So, should I tell the truth, putting discharged and try to explain it on the interview (or bring the copy of the reviews that raved about me.) Any managers out there?

1 person likes this

2 responses

sudalunts

@sudalunts (5523)

• United States

29 Jul 08

Hi, I am not sure what state you are in, but here in New Jersey a former employee is not allowed to give the reason for separation. They are only allowed to give date of hire and discharge. I know it is not nice to lie, but you will get nowhere using your former employer as a reference. I would put on the application, laid off and give a number of a good friend or relative for when they call. They just need to say when you started and when you ended the previous job. It's a shame but good employees like you and I would not have a chance at a good job because of a previous manager who had unknown personal issues against us. Don't worry about the companies you worked for that have closed or moved. When the new company try to contact them they will realize that they no longe exist. I would just write that in on the application as a note. I wish you luck, it is not easy and sometimes you have to do what you have to do. As people say, it is a dog eat dog world. Good luck

discharged

jnjlmt

@jnjlmt (19)

• United States

14 Sep 08

My experiences were similar but very different. I was only employed with this company for 4 months but it seemed like my boss had a personal vendetta against me. Everything I did right was ignored or swept under the rug but every little mistake was "dialed up to 10". Not only that but my boss was a bully, pure and simple. At one point, she actually reduced me to tears. Instead of seeing the writing on the wall I tried to stick it out. To make matters worse, I'd left a job where my employer was very happy with, and appreciative of, my work. But, like hollywood, you're only as good as your last picture (job). I put that last job on my resume because I figure a background check would show that I was working there (I think a search by SS# would reveal it) so hiding it would make me look even worse. On applications I put "Job Ended". What I'm doing now is just trying to get my foot in somewhere, even if it's a temp job. That way, THAT will be my last employer and I can rebuild my positive job history. That and, I also keep a list of good references on hand. And if I'm asked about what happened on my last job, as much as I would love to lambaste them to hell and back for the hell I went through the 4 months I was there, I try to keep it neutral and just tell them that it didn't work out as I'd hoped.

@Cammeel1 (372)

• United States

29 Jul 08

I would tell the truth. Attach your letters of reference and hopefully when you get the call you will get a chance to explain what happened. If your prior manager appreciated your work and he/she told you so, then you have a good reference. Besides any supervisor or HR person is going to see that you were there for 8 years. They are going to blow that off so easily. They would want to ask you what happened to change that. Best wishes to you.