When you leave a job on bad terms, your main concern might be the prospect of receiving a bad employment reference. It may even put you off applying for jobs in the first place, or you might be tempted to make up a contact from your last employment. Most employers will ask for two or three references, with your last job being of most interest. If you have concerns over your reference, you needn’t worry; you can take steps to deal with it.
What is a negative employment reference?
Although we all want to leave employment on good terms, this is not always possible. For example, it might be that you didn’t see eye to eye with your manager, you had poor attendance that caused you to lose your job, or you simply couldn’t meet the expectations of the role. Understandably, if you left your previous employment on bad terms, you might be worried about a negative employment reference.
Do you need a reference?
Most employers use references to give them a better understanding of how you will perform in the role. It gives them peace of mind that hiring you will be a positive experience. Most employers will want a reference from your last employer, and usually, a minimum of two references are required. Here is a guide on dealing with a negative employment reference.
Contact your previous employer
It may be worth contacting your previous employer to determine what you should expect from a reference. You should share your concerns with them if you left on bad terms. It is the policy for many organisations to only provide dates of employment in employment references, so your worries might be unwarranted. If you discover that you will indeed receive a bad reference, it is better to be upfront and honest with your prospective employer. For example, if you lost your job due to poor attendance, you can explain what caused the absences. Employers will be much more willing to hire you if you are honest about the situation from the offset.
Increase positive recommendations
If you expect to receive a poor reference, ensure you have plenty of positive references to back yourself. For instance, you can ask for recommendations on LinkedIn and direct the employer there. If you have several good references, and only one bad reference, there is every chance they will still proceed with the hire.
Ask for a copy
Even if you have left your previous employment on bad terms, it is vital that what is said is accurate and reflective of the situation. If there are questions about your reference, ask for a copy so you can go back to your previous employer to ask them to rectify it.
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