Explaining lack of reference

burntheladle

I have a job interview tomorrow, and they've asked that I provide two references. My job history is

Job A (2004-2006 - approx 18mnths)
Job B (2006-2007 - approx 6mnths)
Job C (2007-2007 - aprrox 6mnths)
Job D (2007-2008 - aprrox 3mnths) - I had to quit at the start of march.

I was intending to use Job D as a reference, but I called today and found out that I actually left on really bad terms - my degree was restructured completely unexpectedly and I suddenly had contact hours that meant I literally could not be there as the hours they wanted me to work were hours I had to be in class. By suddenly found out, I mean I found out the day that classes started. I thought my boss understood when I had to quit, and he certainly made understanding "life happens" noises but when I asked him for a reference he told me he thought I'd ripped him off by getting hired under false pretenses and training me had taken money out of the buisness and blah blah blah. Anyway, long story short, I can't use him as a reference.

Do I have to explain why I do not have a reference from my most recent employer? I have references from A, B and C (although I would prefer to use A and B as I am in reasonably regular contact with those people and I am sure they remember who I am. I'm not entirely sure that my reference from Job C will remember me right off the top of her head). Can I just supply A and B without comment?

What do I do if they ask about D? Do I say I left on bad terms, or what?

PaperPritt

I've been in the exact same situation as you. Trust me, people leave on bad terms all the time, just ask around.

And yes, it's perfectly fine to tell your future boss that you left on bad terms. I found out that if you explain rationally what happened there won't be any problem.

It's much better for you to be bluntly honest about it than to try to make up some cover story or whatever.

No need to go into all the grizzly details, just say that you'd really prefer that they do not call job D, as their view will be obviously biased against you.

Also, for your other jobs, don't worry too much. If people there don't remenber you well, they'll probably just grunt something vague and positive about you.

Best of luck.

RoundBoy

For my current job i had a similar situation. I was at my previous job for 4 years, and all of my close co-workers and even my manager, left. Leaving me with nobody that I wanted to (yet) tell i was leaving.

My other references were 5+ years old at least, and I can't imagine that anybody would want to talk to someone who knew me 5 years ago.

Explain the situation. The only thing they really need a reference of is the HR contact of your last place to verify employment.

bowen

I've found that trying to lie your way around leaving on bad terms will bite you on your ass. Just say "Yeah we didn't agree on ____ and I felt that our goals were no longer compatible."

In your case you probably want to go in this direction:

"I was under the impression that my changing school schedule would've left me some leeway but unfortunately I had to leave this establishment due to conflicts in that scheduling." Or something similar.

Jimmy King

They asked for 2 references and you've got at least 2, right? Leave it at that unless they ask. I doubt they're going to even ask why you don't have any references from a job you were only at for 3 months.

amateurhour

Yeah, there's a difference between reference and calling to validate jobs. If job D is listed, you can either elect to not have them contacted, take it off your resume completely since it was only three months, or just know that all they're legally allowed to say (although you never know what will happen if someone calls them) is that "X person worked here, and is on a non-rehire status".

Save references for friends from former jobs who would vouch for you, or professors, or bosses who actually remember your name.

The Crowing One

In a large number of cases your references will not even get a call unless to verify employment. Do not offer information unless they ask, and an employer should be more interested in your skill-set and interview than in digging around your closet looking for reasons not to hire you.

If this is for a professional position and you're in competition with other well-qualified individuals, references may be used to break a deadlock and ensure that the position being filled will not end up vacant after a month. A sold employment history and a good interview should get you through for most entry-level and non-management positions.

If they bring up your former position and inquire as to why you left, follow bowen's advice. Both you and a potential employer are more interested in looking forward than backward, unless there's an issue with your record/interview that would make them want to check references (which is a bad sign, anyway.)

Sarcastro

No biggie. It's a bit worrisome that your other two jobs only lasted 6 months, another like that and it speaks about your employment practices, and the research you do on a job before taking it. Hard to convince people you're going towards what you want in life if your record shows youre not very careful about the choices you make.

But in all honesty, 3 months is about perfect for a quickie, because that just says 'hey, that situation did not work out, and so it ended' which happens all the time. You tried to make a go, it didn't happen, you moved on- cleanly and effectively. No reference is not a big deal because what the hell is someone going to find out about your work habits in three months anyways. Keep it from becoming something that happens all the time, but for now, don't even worry about it.