Past history with employer seems to have caught up with me. Any advise?

micromike

Hi. I have got myself into a major pickle here and honestly don't know how to go about it. Basically when I was much younger ie 13years ago I was working for Citi and I wanted to go onto AIB. They were not happy that I was leaving and were doing everything to keep me. To cut a long story short, the day before I left I wrong a "funny" email saying what I was going to do on my last day - basically come in pissed and do nothing for the whole day. It was not smart but I wanted out. It went to a few of my team and to cut a long story short, it went afterwards to my manager who brought me into the office and told got my supervisor to escort me to the door. I had no time to say anything or defend myself. Subsequently I settled with Citi for my salary owed without going to court.

Anyway 5 years ago I applied for a really good job, was successful and went in but did not tell Citi that I was working for them almost 9 years ago. I thought naturally but stupidly before the end of the Celtic Tiger that nobody will remember me. There was some old staff still there and they did and I was told again to leave under false pretenses. Fair enough.

This time, Citi emailed me 2 months ago with another amazing job. I did not apply for the job. I decided to be open this time and told them I worked previously for them almost 13 years ago but did not tell them how it ended. They said no problem. It went to HR who went to the dept in question, I had 2 interviews and they went great. Application went back to HR and I got a offer on a really good salary for 1 years contract.

However this is where I think my goose is cooked. I have received a offer along with loads of other pieces of information. I need to fill in a application form. I will need to say I worked previously with Citi and recruitment advised that there is no problem applying again but was not going to mention my 2 days work in 2008. I know I did things stupidly in the past but I feel like a prisoner who has gone straight but to the State is not deemed to be so.:( Is there anything I can do? Naturally you don't get a great job like this in these times and my record since then has been grand. I appreciate your reading and any advise anyone can give.

newmug

So:

1. You worked for a crowd called Citi. You were scaked. You dont go into detail about the circumstances.
2. Some time later, they re-hired you. But you were sacked again.
3. Now they've offered you a job, but you're reluctant to tell them you were sacked by them twice.

Just apply. All they can do is sack you a third time.

looksee

Evidently they were happy with your work and your current situation. Anyone looking at the records will see that you were evicted one day early as a result of a silly email. They really could not do anything other than show you the door the second time.

This time be totally upfront, include the two days because it will be in their records if they go looking for it, which they will if they know about the first period of employment.

You are a good bit older and presumably wiser. Hope for the best. It sounds as though you are pretty employable anyway.

micromike

Thanks Looksee. You are completely correct. I am drafting up a email as we speak back to the HR person I am dealing with. I will show it first to a HR person I know to see if it is ok. It is far better having a clean slate rather then looking over my back thinking I am hiding something - at least for my own mind if nothing else!! I am much more maturer of course! I will see after I send it whether they want nothing to do with me or what the position is. After all HR chased me a lot looking for interviews etc and I had 5 missed calls in a few hours last Monday re their offer so we'll see.

bbam

I'm not familiar with the company you are referring to but it seems like there is a big disconnect with them rehiring ex employees with suspect previous exits from the company... I'm shocked your file isn't marked "do not rehire", this is a simple step and saves lots of bother down the line..

I'd say the best thing you can do is come completely clean. Let them know what has gone on in the past and that you have changed since then (presuming that you have).
That way if they do hire you then you'll be able to head in with your head held up.. If they decline to hire you then there is nothing lost, and perhaps you should ignore any further communication from them..

micromike

Thx. I completely agree btw. They should put "do not rehire" on the file. This saves me going for interviews, doing tests, speaking with recruitment etc. I assumed by the way they were talking initially that all was clear but I don't think so and I don't want 2008 all over again therefore me writing this thread! If they decline well I have something else up myself up so I will keep myself busy. Cest la vie. I will be advising them however to keep me on the "do not rehire" file as this is just wasting everyones time.