Advice regarding references and an offerred job position

Kryten2340

Hi,

I don't wish to mention company names for security purposes but I would grateful if someone can provide some advice.

I have been offerred a new job with a large IT company and I start in a few weeks time. The interview was a standard competency based interview and no information was requested regarding previous jobs and why I left.

Now I have just sent my references for my previous two employers which cover the last six years. I'm concerned over the fact that they have a disclaimer that if the references aren't satisfactory they reserve the right to withdraw the offer.

My current employer I am not worried about as I have been here since Jan 2007, have a good record and never been in trouble with them. However the employer before that where I worked from Sep 06 to Nov 06 there was an issue where I foolishly lied on my application about why I had left a previous job of which I was dismissed (I was directly asked the question then). I subsequently got the job but this information came to light. I was suspended immediately but never had a formal disciplinary hearing. A couple of days after being suspended they acknowledged that the situation didn't look good on their client (this was an agency job on a temp to perm contract). Rather than risk having another dismissal on my record I chose to resign.

Now this employer from 2006 has said repeatedly at the time and now that unless they are directly asked the question then they will only confirm dates of employment and in fact when I asked them in 2006 they said that all they would say is they resigned.

I'm concerned as to what might come about and if I have anything to worry about. My brain tells me that as this is a very large and prestigious company that the fact that I've remained with my current employer for so long should stand out and that even if details regarding the employer come out it shouldn't go against me and they should see that I made a mistake and have learned from it and moved on but the cynic in me can't help but worry.

I would be grateful if anyone can provide some advice.

Thanks.

marybelle01

I am afraid that I would side with the cynic - it may or may not come out, and if it does and they withdraw the offer, then there isn't really anything you can do about it. So I am afraid you will have to wait and see because nobody can tell you what the reference will say.

Uncertain

I agree.

If their normal policy is only to confirm dates etc then I imagine that is what they will do. However there is noting at all you can do about it now as they can say anything they like as long as it is true or deliberately misleading. You can only hope for the best.

Sometimes when resigning "by mutual consent" it is possible to agree a legally binding reference with a clause preventing the company from saying more. However, even that can be difficult as a refusal to answer question is often taken in a negative way.

Mands

Kryten2340 wrote: »

I have been offerred a new job with a large IT company and I start in a few weeks time. The interview was a standard competency based interview and no information was requested regarding previous jobs and why I left.

Now I have just sent my references for my previous two employers which cover the last six years. I'm concerned over the fact that they have a disclaimer that if the references aren't satisfactory they reserve the right to withdraw the offer.

Your potential new employer allowed you to source and provide references from your previous employers?

Kryten2340

Mands wrote: »

Your potential new employer allowed you to source and provide references from your previous employers?

Yes they asked for references but they will be approaching the employers. I just put down the two previous employers I've had.

This is what it asked for

"Please give full details of where you have been over the period specified below and names of people who can verify this information."

I'm taking that to mean they simply what to verify I've been where I've said I have.

colino

You may be lucky, but if the previous employer states that you left because you lied about your cv, how does your new potential employer interpret that?

Kryten2340

colino wrote: »

You may be lucky, but if the previous employer states that you left because you lied about your cv, how does your new potential employer interpret that?

Surely if they are directly asked the question why did I leave then all they can say is I resigned?

Mands

Kryten2340 wrote: »

Yes they asked for references but they will be approaching the employers. I just put down the two previous employers I've had.

This is what it asked for

"Please give full details of where you have been over the period specified below and names of people who can verify this information."

I'm taking that to mean they simply what to verify I've been where I've said I have.

Right, you've given them details of your referees rather than provided references so I'll bin the comments I was going to make regarding their processes

Kryten2340 wrote: »

Surely if they are directly asked the question why did I leave then all they can say is I resigned?

No, they could say that you resigned pending a disciplinary. They probably won't, but they could.

Mands

colino

Like I said, you might be lucky and they'll be lazy, but nothing to stop them, in fact they should, tell the full facts. Otherwise, what is the point of references, other than to offload a liability to someone else?

Kryten2340

colino wrote: »

Like I said, you might be lucky and they'll be lazy, but nothing to stop them, in fact they should, tell the full facts. Otherwise, what is the point of references, other than to offload a liability to someone else?

So in other words you're saying someone who makes a mistake a good number of years ago should carry it around with them for the rest of their lives?

dandelionclock30

If they said that all they would provide is dates and say you resigned then surley this is what they will say?. I think you will have to probably wait and see what happens and think about what you are going to say if the new employer asks you about it further.
Making a mistake doesnt make you a liability as someone very nastily said! I would ignore that and just thank god your not asking a question about benefits. You should read the stick people get on there.