I had an situation posted in another forum

http://www.laborlawtalk.com/showthread.php?t=154809

Once you're caught up on that, my question is this.....

When filling out applications for employment, when it says

"Shall we contact your supervisor?" Yes or No (should I say yes or no, due to my not so good standing with my previous employer)

And if it says, "Reason for leaving"

What should I put? Do I have to explain that my previous employer....well...was unfair and unjust?

This is something I find bothersome for employment with future organizations.

I am confused ... are no longer employed?

Whether you wish to have them contact your former employer is up to you. It isn't unusual to indicate on an application that you wish to be contacted before they contact them. The potential employer isn't bound to honor your request but most will.

I'd simply tell the truth. Put that the reason you are leaving/were discharged/resigned/want to leave is that your employer was asking you to perform tasks that were beyond your ability to do. It happens, it isn't the kiss of death, recruiters are used to it. Almost no one leaves a job where they are perfectly happy and everyone treats them well. Chances are that if you are looking for employment, there is a reason. It is your attitude in explaining that reason that makes or breaks the deal for a recruiter. Blame others and trash your former employer, and all the recruiter wonders is what horrid things you will say about them in the future. Accept responsibility, that you weren't up to the tasks and volume of work necessary, and you become a lot more attractive as a candidate. Taking responsibility is rare these days and it is a huge bonus when you meet someone who does so. If you are doing anything to bone up on your skills that may have been lacking in your last job (reading any books on the subject, taking classes, attending seminars, using any tutorials, etc.) mention those as well. It really helps to show that you are trying to remedy the situation or at least learn from it. Even if you just read a book or two on managing your time more effectively or staying organized that shows you are trying to improve and helps take some of the remaining sting out of not being up to the task in the past.

Actually, I went to classes on Time Management and the like

Anyways, it makes sense to be positive in your explanation.

I could say something like, "Well, over a period of time, I had alot added onto my plate, granted it was great to learn something new and getting experience in tasks I typically don't do, was rewarding."

Thing was, their expectations of me were a bit higher than what I considered to be the norm.

There was a situation, where a woman quit her job, because she was doing too much, some tasks, that were really meant for someone else, she wanted HR to re-classify her job, but that couldn't be done unless she lef ther position.

Thing was, she wasn't being hassled about not being able to handle what was on her plate, in my situation, it was different.


Whether you wish to have them contact your former employer is up to you. It isn't unusual to indicate on an application that you wish to be contacted before they contact them. The potential employer isn't bound to honor your request but most will.

I'd simply tell the truth. Put that the reason you are leaving/were discharged/resigned/want to leave is that your employer was asking you to perform tasks that were beyond your ability to do. It happens, it isn't the kiss of death, recruiters are used to it. Almost no one leaves a job where they are perfectly happy and everyone treats them well. Chances are that if you are looking for employment, there is a reason. It is your attitude in explaining that reason that makes or breaks the deal for a recruiter. Blame others and trash your former employer, and all the recruiter wonders is what horrid things you will say about them in the future. Accept responsibility, that you weren't up to the tasks and volume of work necessary, and you become a lot more attractive as a candidate. Taking responsibility is rare these days and it is a huge bonus when you meet someone who does so. If you are doing anything to bone up on your skills that may have been lacking in your last job (reading any books on the subject, taking classes, attending seminars, using any tutorials, etc.) mention those as well. It really helps to show that you are trying to remedy the situation or at least learn from it. Even if you just read a book or two on managing your time more effectively or staying organized that shows you are trying to improve and helps take some of the remaining sting out of not being up to the task in the past.