Help With My Job Situation

[kellynbobellen]

ok, so I will try to make this as short as possible so that you can still understand my situation. Last november I started working for a woman who i helped open her bakery. I was the pastry chef their making 90% of the product being sold. About a month ago I could take the hostile work place that I was forced to be in everyday so I gave my two weeks notice. My boss and I DID NOT leave on good terms, and while I said over and over that I had hoped that we could continue to have a respectful relationship and that I really valued her opinion and everything she has taught me...i dont feel that she feels the same. So now i am trying to get a job for the rest of the summer before I go to school in the fall, and my predicament is this:

I'm worried that when i put my previous employment information on any application that if someone calls her she will lie and tell them how bad of an employee i was...I tried my hardest and there is a lot more to the story than I care to get into....but what do you think I should do? Should i put it all on there and hope for the best? should i just NOT put the information on there? how about putting it on there and explaining what happened?

PLEASE HELP!

[BistroOwner1]

Kelly -

In the HR world, there is a fine line between what a previous employer is allowed to say to a potential employer, and what they will actually say. Legally, they are allowed to say what your position was, and perhaps describe your job duties. They can say when you were hired, and when you left. They can say what your salary was. They can also say if you are eligible for re-hire or not. Legally it should stop at that - unless they want to say what a great employee you were and sing your praises. If they say negetive things about you - they could be in serious trouble.

My advice is yes, put down your previous job history if it is relevant to the position you are applying for. When you are interviewing, you can mention you left on bad terms, but also that you worked out your notice. Don't get into a mud slinging discussion with your potential employer. State the facts and move on to other positive experience.

If your previous employer is smart, she will also refrain from slinging mud if called for a reference. Good employers will be interested in what you can do for them, not necesarily what happened in a bad situation at your last job.

Grab your boot straps and pull. Everyone has a bad experience in their past - it shouldn't hold you back from a bright future if you have lots to offer. Good luck!

PS - Where in Michigan did you work? Just curious.

[hastypastry]

Good luck to you, and that was great advice bistro owner....always good to know!

Hasty