Issue getting past final interviews stages...

dg01

Hello,

I really need help here.

I have been out of work for about 3 months. I resigned my last role on bad terms. Me and my team had lets say "cultural differences", they weren't supporting me even though they know I have a mental condition. That sounds a bit OTT than what it actually is as I am coping with it really well, there were just certain things that happened that they weren't happy with, but instead of supporting me through it, they decided to take me through disciplinary - most things were twisted around aswell! The issues during this time did not reflect my work at all. Even they would say my work ethic was right up there.

I have thought up a more positive reason about why I left so I am not telling employers or recruiters the above. If it helps also, I have not stated a reason why I resigned on my resignation letter, I just said "Please accept this letter as notification that I am resigning effective immediately".

But before I had the first disciplinary meeting started, I had the option to resign on my merit and I did just that as I was in the employment for 10 months and needed a reference as my skills dramatically improved.

I hope the above makes sense?

But since my last employment, I have had interviews with around 20 or so different companies, each getting to the final stage but the end result is for each one... there was people with better and more experience.

That can't be just a coincidence?

I haven't got a personal reference for my last employment on my CV, so they would just ring the HR department.

Is the HR department allowed to say what exactly went on during my time at my last employment? As far as I understood, this information wasn't supposed to be shared with third parties.

Just in case the reasons are actually legit that more candidates have had better experience, I have lowered my sights on salary and what skills are required for the role... to see where that gets me.

---

I also noticed on a website I read, they may ask "Would you rehire?". I dont know what to think of that one as my work ethic was brilliant and even they would say so but they had other issues (that they deemed issues) other than work.

---

So main questions are:
1) Is the HR department of my previous role allowed to give any information about what went on during my time there? If so, how much detail would they go in?

2) If they ask questions like "would you rehire?" and they say no based on the above, are they allowed to say why? This then puts me in a difficult position,,,

Thanks,
Dan

ssparks2003

References must be honest and truthful, that is all. They can give whatever information (within reason) if it is honest and truthful. If you were involved in a disciplinary then they can say so.

ThemeOne

It might be worth requesting feedback from some of the organisations you interviewed with. Not all will be helpful or forthcoming but since you've had so many interviews the law of averages is on your side.

The problem with references is some companies simply phone up for a verbal reference, during which pretty much anything can get said with impunity.

dg01

thanks for your reply. How honest can they be talking to m potential future employers? As it never went through disciplinary. I officially resigned before the first disciplinary meeting.

I thought HR was only allowed to give, times you worked there and if you showed up. All issues that happened shouldn't be said should it? I didn't give a reason on my resignation letter.

Im in UK by the way if that makes any difference

ssparks2003

I don't know where you got that idea from, a lot of companies do give the bare min but they can tell more. So yes they can say that you was about to be disciplined before you resigned

dg01

cheers mate. If they do say that then im screwed lol. At my last job I learned a lot. I worked hard and even they would say that. There was just some behavioral issues (that was due to my condition which they knew full well about) during my time. Even when my manager walked me out the building he was saying to me theres nothing wrong with my work ethic.

How likely is it they will say I was about to be disciplined? I honestly thought they weren't allowed to give that info

BorisThomson

They can say you resigned pending disciplinary. Whether they would or not, only they can tell you.

Is there anyone you know with a business that could apply for a reference for you, to see what it says?

It is quite possible that other candidates will have had more experience than you, or be a better fit, or perform better at interview. One day though you will be that person who is best for the job.

Comms69

dg01 wrote: »

Hello,

I really need help here.

I have been out of work for about 3 months. I resigned my last role on bad terms. Me and my team had lets say "cultural differences", they weren't supporting me even though they know I have a mental condition. That sounds a bit OTT than what it actually is as I am coping with it really well, there were just certain things that happened that they weren't happy with, but instead of supporting me through it, they decided to take me through disciplinary - most things were twisted around aswell! The issues during this time did not reflect my work at all. Even they would say my work ethic was right up there.

I have thought up a more positive reason about why I left so I am not telling employers or recruiters the above. If it helps also, I have not stated a reason why I resigned on my resignation letter, I just said "Please accept this letter as notification that I am resigning effective immediately".

But before I had the first disciplinary meeting started, I had the option to resign on my merit and I did just that as I was in the employment for 10 months and needed a reference as my skills dramatically improved.

I hope the above makes sense?

But since my last employment, I have had interviews with around 20 or so different companies, each getting to the final stage but the end result is for each one... there was people with better and more experience.

That can't be just a coincidence?

I haven't got a personal reference for my last employment on my CV, so they would just ring the HR department.

Is the HR department allowed to say what exactly went on during my time at my last employment? As far as I understood, this information wasn't supposed to be shared with third parties. - Absolutely they can, and should!

Just in case the reasons are actually legit that more candidates have had better experience, I have lowered my sights on salary and what skills are required for the role... to see where that gets me.

---

I also noticed on a website I read, they may ask "Would you rehire?". I dont know what to think of that one as my work ethic was brilliant and even they would say so but they had other issues (that they deemed issues) other than work.

---

So main questions are:
1) Is the HR department of my previous role allowed to give any information about what went on during my time there? If so, how much detail would they go in? - As much as they like basically; as long as it's true.

2) If they ask questions like "would you rehire?" and they say no based on the above, are they allowed to say why? This then puts me in a difficult position,,, - yes

Thanks,
Dan

Here is a legitimate sample reference:


Dan worked for our business for 10 months, unfortunately he had problems integrating into the team and we were forced to begin disciplinary proceedings. Dan resigned without notice when these proceedings began. We would not be looking to rehire Dan.

elsien

It may not be anything to do with your references. We never took up references before offering the job to the successful candidate. Maybe you need to think a bit more or ask for clearer feedback about what the successful candidates are demonstrating that you aren't.
You may not get a truthful answer. Or it might be that there are better candidates. But if you're not getting offers following interview rather than offers being retracted it's not the references that are the issue.

ssparks2003

References are normally only taken up at offer stage not after 1st interview, the issue may be elsewhere

Comms69

ssparks2003 wrote: »

References are normally only taken up at offer stage not after 1st interview, the issue may be elsewhere

Normally I agree with this. I'm currently applying for a new role and they've asked to take up references prior to interview - which I take as good sign to be fair!


It's the first time I've seen it happen this way, but thought I'd share an experience which goes against the grain somewhat