What to put on application form

[LolaTheShowgirl]

I am applying for a job that I really want. On the form it says for references, one from previous employer. I did a good job there but in the last few weeks had a bit of a crisis and didn't ring in absent and then I left immediately with no notice. It is large comapany so HR will do the references but i'm scared of putting the previous job on incase they give me a weak reference. If I put just any references on (not my last employer), will potential new job pull me up on it and request?

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Tricky one. I would be tempted to put my last employer as this is pretty standard for prosective employers to check. Your last employer can either give you a reference or not. The reference they may give might not be what you are after but as long as they tell the truth they are perfectly entitled to write whatever they feel is approprtiate. Some employers may not want to give you a 'bad' reference as such so may choose not to give you a reference at all.

I think this is right but I am sure that Flowery will be along to give you more accurate advice.

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If you don't put your previous employer the prospective employer will want to know why and will smell a rat.

Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing saying that an employer can't give a bad reference. What they must do is base any reference on verifiable facts. However most do choose to say not very much rather than be negative.

If you had a good relationship with your boss, and did a good job, I would agree with MotherFunk, ring him/her, apologise for what happened and ask whether they would be prepared to give you a good reference. Then give his/her contact details as a reference, not the HR dept.

Alternatively, ring the HR dept at your old company and ask what information they give in a reference. If it's HR doing them I imagine that means they only give basic factual information anyway. But that may include stuff on absence, and not turning up for work or ringing in is factual information which they could put in. You can easily ask them what their standard ref contains.

About bloody time too Flowery. I am sick of trying to hold the fort for you. I am upping my referral fee to 25%...

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I've not been well today actually, but feeling better now. 25% it is.....

Sorry to hear that...hope you are feeling better soon....

Hi all, sorry I didn't get back earlier...ended up putting it down anyway and i'm going to keep my fingers crossed that HR will just do a very basic reference if needed. I barely saw my manager TBH and he probably wouldn't even know who I was if I called so I doubt he would be pulling out any stops for me so just going to hope and pray I can impress them enough if I get an interview and take it from there!

Thanks for all your help.

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