To ask you to help me with a job interview for temp work, when my last employers reference is likely to be shit

[Lucyellensmum95]

I was put in a really difficult position by my last employer, no support or training, not even an induction - given too much responsibility for my level of experience and when i asked for support basically squeezed out of the job. They have said that in a reference they will say i can't work under pressure - but yes, actually i can work under pressure, i just cannot work with zero support and no one to ask if something that i have done has been done properly because no one else knows! It was too important to say "ah well, that'l do"

How do i explain this to interviewer without sounding like i am slating my previous employer, which of coures i am, but i know this is bad form

Help!!!!

They are not allowed to say that on a reference. Tell them you expect a reference giving your job title and dates you worked and that is all. Many companies have a policy that this is all they will allow to be given out. Find someone work related who will give you a good reference as a personal reference instead. Perhaps a previous employer? Then join a union and get some proper advice about what the employer can put in a reference.

Also it sounds like constructive dismissal if you resigned or unfair dismissal if you were fired. There are procedures that have to legally be followed to ensure that there are good reasons for your dismissal and not just being treated badly.

The thing is, i left, signed off by doctor for anxiety :( But it was all caused by the employer Someone else has suggested it is constructive dismissal - i am considering making a complaint but it is complicated because i was on a short term contract thing (4 week contracts) So they have a perfect out there. I actually thnk, on reflection, that i was bullied by my line manager. But i need to deal with this interview today, what do i tell them?

Here's what you do.Start an action for constructive dismissal.Even if you have no real grounds it will cost your employers a wad to defend.They will look to settle with you and as part of that settlement you agree the wording of your reference.

If you were only there a few weeks why even mention it on your CV? Just ask someone for a personal reference

Perhaps you could say in your last position you took on a lot of extra responsibilities that given the right support you felt you would have grown into the role. Say that you enjoyed the challenge but found it incredibly hard and how proud you are that they recognised something in you that they felt you would be able to do that extra role. Say you have learnt that you enjoy responsibility, that you recognise that you need to ask for help earlier and that you are looking forward to continuing to learn in your next role.

Oh and good luck!

I was there for a few months - contracts renewed repeatedly, and it is the only employer that has relevant experience for the job i am trying for today. I don't have the energy for the constructive dismissal thing, i dont think i will have a leg to stand on as i played into their hannds wtih the anxiety . I have a whole list of other people who i can refs from but they want previous employer - my old manager will write me a shining ref but it not relevant to this job

I did ask for help - that is why they are saing i cant cope wiwth pressure!

Sorry have now read your OP properly.
The good thing is that you have got an interview.The main thing is not to badmouth your previous employer.Everyone knows there are shit employers out there - just IMPLY that.

If you were not there for very long, do you have to mention them at all?

Actually, I think that most employers understand that some contracts just don't work out. Unless you've got a string of past employers saying the same thing, they would just accept that this was a bad experience -- possibly on both sides.

So don't diss them. Just say (if asked) that it wasn't a great fit: the job wasn't what you'd thought it was and that you weren't happy. So this is why you're keen to do x, y, and z that is positive about this position you're interviewing for.

Ok say you asked for help, but unfortunately it wasn't forthcoming. If they ask why perhaps say I'm not too sure to be honest, I feel there was expectation that I should know what to do - it was something I had not done before and with a little guidance and support I feel I would have been an asset.

I bet they won't actually put that in the reference.

You literally can't drag more than the bare bones (worked from xx to xx) from many firms now, however much you'd like them to expand on it, due to them covering their arses.
Ignore any implied threat, and focus on your interview. Good luck!

get through the interview.

do not worry about the reference.

most employers now just want to confirm that you worked there, that you are who you say you are and did not steal the clients money. employers will rarely put more than that anyway.

one step at a time and focus on the interview

good luck

I've had two employers who I didn't want to cite as referees. I worried a lot about it, but it hasn't been a problem. I've listed referees from a previous job instead, and I've never been asked why employer X and not employer Y. If I had been asked, I was prepared to answer that I think employer X was better able to comment on my skills because that position used closely-aligned skills blah blah and then go on to elaborate at great length about those skills.