Administrative Power

Reference...?

In my recent job my boss was very mean to me but she would always do it in a nice way. I quit a couple months ago and now I am looking for a new job and I need experience to be able to work where I want to apply for. Should I put them down as a reference? After I quit, and she wasn't very happy with it? Do they usually even call the references?

Public Comments

1. They will probably call your old employer to make sure you worked there and for how long. Most companies no longer give out job references or information other than verification of employment due to a great number of lawsuits against them. by not listing them, one of two things can happen - 1) the gap in your employment history may look suspicious or 2) they may call an employment verification service and find out you worked at your previous job anyway, which will look even worse.
2. In my experience, it has been very rare that they do call references. But a friend of mine has been called as a reference. You could call your old boss and ask if she would be willing to speak on your behalf. If you were a good worker and she was happy with you, and also if she is very professional, then she wouldnt mind speaking on your behalf. You have to be honest with yourself about how things were when you left. Also, give people the option of saying no, because that could really hurt your employment process.
3. I've always had my references called. I know the other answers on here said they rarely check them, but don't go by that. Because most of the experiences I've had, they check. Since she was your previous employer, they'll probably call anyway.