Ask the Expert: Must a bank say I was fired in a reference?
The employer does indeed have to disclose your dismissal or else they could
lay themselves open to legal action from a future employer. For you, there
is also no way round this issue and you will be better off trying to manage
the information sensibly, rather than attempting to cover it up.
Don't make the mistake of one of our recent questioners who lied on his CV,
claiming he had a degree, which he didn't. He had to confess the truth after
being asked for his certificates by the HR department of a company that had
offered him an excellent job. The offer was instantly rescinded when the
man was discovered to be a liar. Could he have done anything else, he asked
us. Well, no... except not lie in the first place.
For you much will depend on what you actually did and what kind of job you
do. Misuse of computer facilities can cover many things including looking at
pornographic websites, spending too much time conducting personal business
on the internet or inadvertently importing a virus.
If this misdemeanour was an unusual lapse in an otherwise unblemished
career, you are obviously in a better position to overcome it. Try to find
people who will vouch for the quality of your work and give you an informal
or verbal reference. You could also try temping through an agency, which may
be more willing to give you a chance, especially if you have very marketable
skills. That way you will be able to build up a track record after the
dismissal.
When approaching agencies, or indeed any potential employer, address the
issue head on after you have outlined your skills and qualifications and all
the positive reasons for considering you. Keep your explanations brief and
truthful and emphasise that you have learnt your lesson. Whatever you do,
don't lie. That way you will have the best chance of putting this behind
you.
A reader advises: You've got to tell the truth because if there is any subsequent doubt as to you integrity you won't get anywhere.
A career consultant I met recently, gave an example of when he worked in HR
for an investment bank. They were recruiting for a junior adminstrative
position and he was taking references from the chosen candidate's previous
employers over the last 10 years.
Nine years previously she said she had left a national retail chain to go travelling for two years. The reference came back saying she had been dissmissed for Gross Misconduct which had resulted in a prosecution. He contacted the candidate to seek an explanation and she
confessed that due to her not following procedures, she had "lost" a day's
takings for the store she managed, which was subsequently discovered. She
was dismissed, prosecuted and given a 2-year jail sentence.
Under the "Rehabilitation of Offenders Act" they would have been obliged to offer her
the job given that the sentence had been served and she had clean references
since. But because she lied in her application they had to withdraw to
offer.
In conclusion, you'll have to live with your error of judgement and
demonstrate to any future potential employer that you've learnt your leason
and put it behind you. But be warned that it could be up to 10 years before
recruiters stop asking for an explanation!
Next week's question: I have just returned from a year travelling abroad, having
resigned after nine years in the finance industry. My cv describes my
various positions in reverse chronological order. How and where on my cv should I explain
what I did in my year off and why I took it? If I make it consistent with
the rest of the cv (i.e. at the top), I'm afraid I'll be drawing unnecessary
attention to it. Any suggestions?
What would you advise? Send your answer to: expertadmin@efinancialcareers.com.
Look out for the Experts' answer to this dilemma and readers' comments on Ask the Expert next week!
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