Dealing with an interview when you cant get a reference

Dealing with an interview when you cant get a reference

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MLH

Original Poster:

406 posts

122 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Just looking for some advice on how to handle a forthcoming interview.

A bit of back ground....

Ive been a freelance site manager (construction) for the previous 5 years. The last contract i was on ended with me leaving 4 weeks before the proposed end date. The reason for this was a build up over a few weeks of colleagues withholding information from me and other various concerns which made executing my role very difficult and frustrating. I had brought this up in meetings with the project manager on numerous occasions but nothing ever seemed to be done about it. It got to a point where i had to leave for my own sanity and had a it down with the project manager and made it clear to him why i was leaving. I thought i had gone about it in a mature and amicable way but when all was said and done his closing words were along the lines of....'people who leave like this shouldnt then expect to come to me for any future references..etc etc'. This annoyed me some what as i had been asking him for support for weeks.

So this brings me onto an interview that ive got this week for another contract. Despite it being a different site its part of the same development and i am fully expecting them to ask about my previous job. What do i do? do i tell them the truth which has the potential to make me sound resentful or skirt around the issue?


ETA: This is the first time i have left a job early in my 5 years of contracting.




don'tbesilly

13,900 posts

162 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
If you get questioned about the previous role and why you left, just cite professional and personal differing opinions to the project manager as the reason and move on to other subjects.

Good luck.

UK345

441 posts

157 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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I am inbetween positions at the moment and have noticed that although a company asks for references 9/10 they don't bother phoning them up. Just speak positively about the last job and if they ask why you left just say it was the end of the contract. Do not mention you leaving on you're own accord.

MattHall91

1,268 posts

123 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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+1 for companies rarely contacting references.

It's normally only legal, banking and public sector firms who always contact your references.

Good luck.

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Couple of points just to add perspective

1. Recently changed job and the new firm (small private company) contacted both given references.
2. Why did you leave the role before getting another role? Always easier to find something else when you have something.....

MLH

Original Poster:

406 posts

122 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
mike9009 said:
2. Why did you leave the role before getting another role? Always easier to find something else when you have something.....
Thanks for the input so far guys.

To address the quoted bit.....due to the hours i work and the need to achieve some sort of work/life balance i tend to take a few weeks off between contracts. When i left the previous role i wasnt too fussed on finding a new contract straight away as i was ready for my few weeks off.

ChasW

2,135 posts

201 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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If asked be upfront with them.

Also requests for references are often just for proof that you worked there and what you title was as opposed to any judgemental information.

phumy

5,671 posts

236 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
ChasW said:
If asked be upfront with them.

Also requests for references are often just for proof that you worked there and what you title was as opposed to any judgemental information.
Sorry not correct, i have had three request to give references for ex-employees in the last 6 to 9 months in the power plant construction industry all from different company's and they were quite in depth asking for checks on character and if they finished and completed the project as per their contract. They wanted specifically to know if they had finished before their contract end.

southendpier

5,254 posts

228 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Always understood it was very difficult to give a bad reference. Because you can only state facts not opinion. Unless there was a disciplinary at your last place leading to dismissal.

MLH

Original Poster:

406 posts

122 months

Tuesday 28th April 2015
quotequote all
Bit of an update...

Interview went well. Got asked about qualifications, experiences etc no mentions of references so i didnt bring it up.

Just had the phone call to start next week. smile