Dear Joan:

I have a question regarding references. I was laid off from my last position after being there 7 years as part of a reduction in force of about 10 employees out of 300. In the past, my boss and I didn’t see eye to eye on certain issues and I do not want to use him as a reference. He’s the type of person who always remembers negative situations and I just don’t trust him. I have provided other references who are colleagues that I worked closely with and who know my work performance better than my manager. However, on all applications, I am asked for the company’s phone number and name of manager. How can I prevent a potential employer from contacting my manager without looking like I have something to hide?


Answer:

I doubt you can prevent a potential employer from calling your former manager. Most employers are going to pursue that reference. But there are some things you can do to mitigate the potential damage he might cause.

You may not want to do this but I’d recommend that you call him and say, “As you know I’m looking for a new job and I am hoping I can count on you for a good reference.” Depending on what he says, you might add, “I know we’ve had our differences of opinion over the years but I hope you agree that my results were good and my intentions behind those disagreements were always to do what was right for the business.”

If you get a positive response from him, don’t bring up any disagreements in your interviews. Don’t poke a skunk. If you sense he isn’t going to give you a good reference, I recommend a preemptive strike during the interviews.

On an application list his name. You’re right—to omit it looks suspicious. Then when you are in an interview be prepared to be straightforward about your disagreements, but couch it in “we” rather than “me” language (assuming others had problems with him, too). For example, give a lot of examples about your good results and how well you worked with everyone. Then add something such as, “I pride myself on being able to get along with anyone, although sometimes my manager was a hard guy to please. He tended to focus on the negative. It wasn’t just me…he was like that with everyone.”



Dear Joan:

I've been out of work for about a year. After 25 years, I lost my full-time job as an art director for a printing company. To find another job in the same market has been next to impossible for me as I am 56 years old and am short many of the technical skills now required in the business.

I find age discrimination with most of the applications I've submitted even though it may not be presented to me that way. Companies would rather hire younger people with technical /computer skills as they believe that's more important than the years of experience I have with the business. It appears I am too young to die but too old to work. What do you suggest for an older person that has much to offer but can't break back into the workforce?

I am an artist with traditional skills that do not fit it with today's workforce. I am trying to market myself in different ways with my skills as a wall muralist, faux painter, etc. The poor economy is to the point where money can't be spent on beautiful walls and such, instead of necessary bills and survival. Do you have any comments for the older worker who has lost their job? Would it be a waste of time and money to further my education into a new career at age 56? I soon will be out of money and no income coming in to do anything. Older workers are not protected from such an economic crisis. If we won't get hired, then retire us with some kind of pension so we can make room for the younger generation. Thanks Joan for any comments.


Answer:

Yours is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting your technical skills get out of date. Technology has transformed the printing industry, like so many others. Unfortunately, you know the business that was, but you may not be seeing the future that will be.

Rather than mourning the loss of your job, start thinking outside of your former job and use your knowledge of the business in a different way. You lament that “older workers are not protected from such an economic crisis,” but the fact is no one is protected. Pensions are a thing of the past and wishful thinking won’t bring them back. The world was changing while you weren’t paying attention. So shake it off and start reinventing yourself.

I suspect your difficulties in getting a job are more to do with your skills than your age, but together they are the knock-out blow. Rather than starting over by going to school for a new career, I think it would make more sense to leverage what you already have. For instance, if you are hell bent on getting a similar job in printing, can you enroll in specific classes to upgrade your technical skills? Or, you could network with printing companies to offer your skills as a consultant, an operations manager, or outside sales rep.

However, I’ll bet there are more jobs outside of printing than inside. I’d recommend that you work with a career consultant to help you identify other areas of opportunity. Go beyond printing companies to marketing, labeling, or packaging companies. Explore inside corporate jobs in marketing and packaging departments.


Joan Lloyd is an executive coach, management consultant, facilitator and professional trainer/speaker.  Email your question to Joan at info@joanlloyd.com.  Joan Lloyd & Associates, (800) 348-1944, Visit www.JoanLloyd.com © Joan Lloyd & Associates, Inc.