Reference From Ex-Employer
I was with my previous employer for 4 years 9 months. I was terminated recently for my inattention to detail, unfocus, entering data incorrectly the third time (yes, triple data entry!) was magnified. I started to feel that I did nothing right. I've lost interest in the job as I felt dehumanized since there was no respect, work was boring, job lack lust, no professional growth, constant micro manage, conflicts as there were many mood swings making the working environment difficult which all lead me to unhappiness and lack of focusness, inattention to detail. How can you please people that can't be pleased? The woman had very high standards as she considers herself a perfectionist. Whatever I did was never acceptable or good enough for her standards as it was just the tip of the iceberg. Everyday in my last year I was being micro-managed at whatever task I did whether big or small as my immediate supervisor did not trust me. I didn't have the confidence to trust myself. I was forced to keep a MS Excel diary or daily log of every task I did with start and end times, dates where every move I made was being documented. My work and every movement were thus documented, dissected, and scrutinized in every way imaginable as if I committed the most horrible crime on Earth. I knew they were trying to make me quit, but then I couldn't get unemployment benefits if I did which I needed the benefits and money to survive. Thus, I obliged and did as I was instructed to enter my tasks documenting my movements in this daily diary or work log. Who has time to keep a daily diary/log of every movement/task you do when you're trying to do your job that you're being paid for? If I took a day off or sick days I had to document it in this stupid micro manage diary/Excel file or assignment log. I would literally put sick day March 9, 2004 start time; 9:30am end time 5:30pm, miscellaneous column I put 'gastroenteritis with doctor's note' as it was very specific. Who has time for this crap?
My last month I really tried my hardest to improve my performance in concentrating on the job without be distracted which didn't impress my supervisor as I was being terminated after 4 years 9 months of employment. I'm trying to rebound my career now in being active in my job search. I left on good terms although it was upsetting as being terminated from any position regardless of performance is upsetting which based on my poor performance in my last year which I will not ask for a reference. Former employers will and cannot lie about pervious employee's performance (which I realize.) I'm active in my job search now and trying to get my foot in the door interviewing. My delimma is this: despite of leaving on good terms I was terminated based on my poor performance and future employers who interview me have asked for references. I've got one phone call who wanted a reference from my ex-employer. I don't feel comfortable to ask for a reference from them and I know they will refuse to be put down as a reference based on my poor performance. What should I do?![]()
Any postive advice is much appreciated, thank you.
My last month I really tried my hardest to improve my performance in concentrating on the job without be distracted which didn't impress my supervisor as I was being terminated after 4 years 9 months of employment. I'm trying to rebound my career now in being active in my job search. I left on good terms although it was upsetting as being terminated from any position regardless of performance is upsetting which based on my poor performance in my last year which I will not ask for a reference. Former employers will and cannot lie about pervious employee's performance (which I realize.) I'm active in my job search now and trying to get my foot in the door interviewing. My delimma is this: despite of leaving on good terms I was terminated based on my poor performance and future employers who interview me have asked for references. I've got one phone call who wanted a reference from my ex-employer. I don't feel comfortable to ask for a reference from them and I know they will refuse to be put down as a reference based on my poor performance. What should I do?
