Covering up that I was sacked from job

Pee Fortyfive

I was just let go from my last job at the end of the probationary period of 3 months. Won't go into the details but suffice to say I think I got a lousy raw deal, but agencies or potential employers won't want to hear about that, they'll just hear "sacked" and not consider me at all as they'll have plenty of other people looking for the jobs. I was thinking of saying that it was just a short term contract job, and using two other previous employers as my referees ( the two I used to get that job I was just let go from). I know this is dishonest, but I am afraid of never ever getting a job again if I told them the truth as I had been out of work for over a year before I got that job. And considering the length of time I was out of work before that, I think I need to include that job on the CV as I did get some experience in it that I hadn't been exposed to before as well. The HR guy at the 'clear out your desk' meeting when I was being sacked did say they would give me some kind of reference but how are they going to not say I was not sacked, so I don't want to have to depend on them.

If I just go with the 'short term contract' line and not include them as referees if and when asked for them, how likely am I to be found out? I know it's a risk I could be found out later, but it's one I feel I have to take. Might they insist on a reference from that job? And how should I handle it in interviews either with an agency or with an employer.?

tbh

There's a very good chance that a future employer will contact your ex-employer either directly or through a background checking company before hiring you, depending on the industry you're in. I wouldn't make any mention of a short term contract on your cv, just put the dates down and if they ask, you should be truthful about why you left as chances are they are going to find out anyway - at least if you tell them you can get your side in first. After that, it really comes down to the reasons you were dismissed. For example, if you weren't able to do the job, you could suggest that the job spec was misleading and you actually did well to survive for six months. If it's something like indiscipline or theft or something then you could say that you are a changed man.

Pee Fortyfive

tbh wrote: »

There's a very good chance that a future employer will contact your ex-employer either directly or through a background checking company before hiring you, depending on the industry you're in. I wouldn't make any mention of a short term contract on your cv, just put the dates down and if they ask, you should be truthful about why you left as chances are they are going to find out anyway - at least if you tell them you can get your side in first. After that, it really comes down to the reasons you were dismissed. For example, if you weren't able to do the job, you could suggest that the job spec was misleading and you actually did well to survive for six months. If it's something like indiscipline or theft or something then you could say that you are a changed man.

Are they not supposed to get my permission before they or any background checking crowd can contact anyone? Isn't that why people name referees that they know will give them the best reference?

Nody

Pee Fortyfive wrote: »

Are they not supposed to get my permission before they or any background checking crowd can contact anyone? Isn't that why people name referees that they know will give them the best reference?

They can go directly to the company with out bothering to get your permission if they feel like it (esp. if they already know some people in the company).

Pee Fortyfive

Nody wrote: »

They can go directly to the company with out bothering to get your permission if they feel like it (esp. if they already know some people in the company).

They can go to someone they know in the company if they know them personally, you can't stop people who know each other talking to each other. But surely they cannot go the company otherwise without my express permission. Would that not be a breach of confidentiality by the company if they told them anything?

Mrs OBumble

Of course it's a breach of confidentialiy. But it still may happen. I would put it down but be very vague about why you left.

But make sure you have addressed the problem that caused you to get sacked.

Pee Fortyfive

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Of course it's a breach of confidentialiy. But it still may happen. I would put it down but be very vague about why you left.

But make sure you have addressed the problem that caused you to get sacked.

It's a risk, but I think the risk is worth taking in comparison to the alternative. Done a lot of soul-searching indeed over the past while, believe you me. Thanks, Mrs O'B.

LowKeyReturn

Why not just leave it off the CV?

Pee Fortyfive

LowKeyReturn wrote: »

Why not just leave it off the CV?

Because I was out of work for a year before that after being made redundant from the previous job I worked in for 7 years. I have a good reference from the job I was made redundant from, but that job I was sacked from after 3 months is the only thing I've done since. I also got some experience in it which I hadn't had before which I will be able to talk about convincingly.

LowKeyReturn

Pee Fortyfive wrote: »

Because I was out of work for a year before that after being made redundant from the previous job I worked in for 7 years. I have a good reference from the job I was made redundant from, but that job I was sacked from after 3 months is the only thing I've done since. I also got some experience in it which I hadn't had before which I will be able to talk about convincingly.

Fair enough - although it wouldn't be the line I'd go down personally. If you need to get 'creative' with things you shouldn't do it in a way that can be easily checked. Any way best of luck.

shankespony

Why not say you are still working there and did so for 15 months, they would be more out of order contacting what would be your "current employer" because if they found out you were looking for a job and they got "rid of you" and new prospective employer didn't offer you a job they would be in trouble. Employer always holds the cards , i lost 2 jobs at reference stage due to a vindictive employer and there is sfa i can do about it. So do whats best for you imo

popa smurf

OP why do you think you were sacked there is a difference between been sacked and they just letting you go after 3 months, its a ****ty time to be looking for work, employers are extremely fussy at the moment and unfortunately some are taking the piss and treating genuine job seekers very badly, I would move on hold the chin up high and tell yourself its there loss, this experience will make you stronger best of luck finding another job.

tbh

Pee Fortyfive wrote: »

Are they not supposed to get my permission before they or any background checking crowd can contact anyone? Isn't that why people name referees that they know will give them the best reference?

They are but if you refuse to give permission you can forget about getting the job unfortunately.

Laneyh

Pee Fortyfive wrote: »

I was just let go from my last job at the end of the probationary period of 3 months. Won't go into the details but suffice to say I think I got a lousy raw deal, but agencies or potential employers won't want to hear about that, they'll just hear "sacked" and not consider me at all as they'll have plenty of other people looking for the jobs. I was thinking of saying that it was just a short term contract job, and using two other previous employers as my referees ( the two I used to get that job I was just let go from). I know this is dishonest, but I am afraid of never ever getting a job again if I told them the truth as I had been out of work for over a year before I got that job. And considering the length of time I was out of work before that, I think I need to include that job on the CV as I did get some experience in it that I hadn't been exposed to before as well. The HR guy at the 'clear out your desk' meeting when I was being sacked did say they would give me some kind of reference but how are they going to not say I was not sacked, so I don't want to have to depend on them.

If I just go with the 'short term contract' line and not include them as referees if and when asked for them, how likely am I to be found out? I know it's a risk I could be found out later, but it's one I feel I have to take. Might they insist on a reference from that job? And how should I handle it in interviews either with an agency or with an employer.?

Even though it was the same end result strictly speaking you were not kept on as opposed to sacked. Clearly things didn't work out but it might be possible to spin it a different way. If you gained some good experience there I would leave it on my cv - certainly potential employers will query the brevity of your time there but perhaps you could hint at this being due to a company re-structure or something like that

Work on your cv and applications and try to stay positive - if you can reach interview stage keep it fairly vague. You could say the role was changing and you decided to finish up there by mutual agreement, the company was restructuring and therefore the job role was no longer a match for your skills.
You could also say the role wasn't as described and that you felt your skills could be better applied elsewhere.

Maybe someone else would have a better way of phrasing the above.

It is a lousy position to be in but hopefully it's just a very temporary blip

I would also ask a friend to contact your old company and ask for a reference - choose someone who can keep their cool and would be convincing here.

It makes sense that you wouldn't put them down as referees being as you were only there for a short time but it would still be good to know what they would tell any potential employer

A Primal Nut

Yeah it would look strange if you put down a job which is your most recent and the one most relevant to the job you are applying to, experience-wise; yet not put down a referee from that job. They would definitely want a reference for that.

The HR guy at the 'clear out your desk' meeting when I was being sacked did say they would give me some kind of reference but how are they going to not say I was not sacked, so I don't want to have to depend on them.

Without knowing the full details, this looks quite positive; just put this person down on the CV. Even send him an e-mail first saying you want to put him as a referee, and ask him if he would still be willing to provide a positive reference; if he is really willing, he can definitely put a positive spin on your work there.

If you think it would help, apologise for what happened in the e-mail (even if you feel you were in the right) although only you know if an apology is appropriate for what happened.