Repairing career jail and bad choices

bizwax

Hello,

I am currently unemployed and feel as though I am in career jail after a number of bad choices. My post here is just to get it out a little (sorry), but more importantly I would like to hear from others about their experiences and how they got back on the wagon, so to speak.

Anyway, my first issue is that I recently joined/quite a full time role after just 3 months, finished in December. I am afraid that it looks bad on my CV. I also quite because I had issues with my manager (personality and wasn't just me). So I am afraid he is a non-runner reference, even though every body else in the company (startup) would sing my praises.

The second is that the job I left prior to that, a large corporate. My manager won't speak with me and he has poisoned the well with a few others also The main reason is that he absolutely screwed me (discrimination) and I kicked up a fuss on leaving (burning bridges). While this corporate was a great reference on my CV it is no longer, as I can't seem to get a reference there.

I have now been out of work since January 1st and trying to get back into it. Previously, I was an easy sell and always got jobs with no problem but now I am facing a bit of resistance probably given the notes above. I also have niche experience and looking for contracting roles in that space. Considering the space is small, I fear that people have been back-channeling to my previous role (corporate) and gotten negative feedback.

Have other people been in a similar role and what did you do? I am wondering should I move out of my current sector and try for roles outside?

Thank you

motorguy

c-j-h wrote: »

Anyway, my first issue is that I recently joined/quite a full time role after just 3 months, finished in December. I am afraid that it looks bad on my CV.

It does yes, if you dont pitch the reasons why correctly.

c-j-h wrote: »

I also quite because I had issues with my manager (personality and wasn't just me). So I am afraid he is a non-runner reference, even though every body else in the company (startup) would sing my praises.

Then ask one of those other people if they would be a referee for you. It doesnt need to be your direct line manager.

c-j-h wrote: »

The second is that the job I left prior to that, a large corporate. My manager won't speak with me and he has poisoned the well with a few others also The main reason is that he absolutely screwed me (discrimination) and I kicked up a fuss on leaving (burning bridges). While this corporate was a great reference on my CV it is no longer, as I can't seem to get a reference there.

They should still provide a HR reference - time worked there, etc. Thats all you should need, not a character reference. If its a character reference i'd look elsewhere.

c-j-h wrote: »

I have now been out of work since January 1st and trying to get back into it. Previously, I was an easy sell and always got jobs with no problem but now I am facing a bit of resistance probably given the notes above. I also have niche experience and looking for contracting roles in that space. Considering the space is small, I fear that people have been back-channeling to my previous role (corporate) and gotten negative feedback.

Well i'd be pitching with "i left my previous role to go contracting" as your reason. If its a contract role you're applying for, then great, if its a perm role, then some reason along the lines of more difficult to secure long term work than expected, attracted to this role, blah blah.

Also, on your CV it should read - Previous role Oct 17 to Dec 18, Current position Jan 18 to current starting own business as contractor or whatever. That way it reads that you're doing so just this last few weeks rather than since late last year.

Quitting both previous roles because its your managers fault does not read well or bode well, so you may wish to think about how you work better with different management styles going forward rather than throwing the towel in.

[Deleted User]

Approach agencies - couple of years back I would have said differently but it seems a reverse now happening.

One was able to get me an interview for a permanent position right away as they held the interviewers diary and clearly much more, fairly recently. No questions asked.

Apologies in advance for the appearance of my post.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

I fail to see what you mean by "you can't get a reference there" from what you describe as a corporate. Just give any prospective employer the address and they can contact the HR department. It isn't the 1950s; people don't expect you to come to interviews with signed testimonials in envelopes.

bizwax

motorguy wrote: »

It does yes, if you dont pitch the reasons why correctly.

Quitting both previous roles because its your managers fault does not read well or bode well, so you may wish to think about how you work better with different management styles going forward rather than throwing the towel in.

That's good advice, thanks. Yes I have been considering the issue of both managers and that it may be me that's the problem. That said, my most recent manager was clearly very bad. Many other people resigned because of him and some others on notice. When I resigned, company owner knew the reason and pleaded with me to stay, citing that they were going to fire the guy. The reason I left was because I didn't believe they would fire him and it was easier for me to leave on 2 weeks notice (probation) than to have to endure a 3 month notice period, with my gut already telling me to leave.

I do admit that the previous (corporate) role I was a bit hasty. I got on really well with my manager for so long but then he did some really bad things (personally towards me) and I figured I would move on (albeit kicking and screaming out the door, which I dearly regret now). I think it's coincidence that it happened twice in a row but I do admit my threshold for this kind of crap is quite low, hence why I think contracting may suit me better. I'm working on my personal stuff as an aside from that.

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Approach agencies - couple of years back I would have said differently but it seems a reverse now happening.

One was able to get me an interview for a permanent position right away as they held the interviewers diary and clearly much more, fairly recently. No questions asked.

Apologies in advance for the appearance of my post.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

I fail to see what you mean by "you can't get a reference there" from what you describe as a corporate. Just give any prospective employer the address and they can contact the HR department. It isn't the 1950s; people don't expect you to come to interviews with signed testimonials in envelopes.

True that, but the problem here was that I think given my industry is so small there is an element of, oh I know so and so there... I'll give him a call. Oh well.

Ja7188

Sounds like you were in the 'corporate role' for a while so you've only had the one 'blip' on your CV. In my experience, most companies won't bad an eyelid at one short-lived role - only when you have a few in a row do people start asking questions.

Bear in mind that the "I know so and so" piece can work both ways - if your previous manager is known to any new employer and is known in the industry for being difficult, it may make it easier for the new employer to understand why you left...!