My Boss, Keep the Connection

"I hated my last boss."the current employer for reference, job
Your last boss was a miserable person whosecompatibility and "off the record" comments, ones
main concern was making your life miserable. Ofthat will effect the outcome of the offer process.
course you don't have a lot of nice things to say;I wrote earlier on not burning bridges and this is
however, don't mistake honesty, which isthe same concept. Don't even pick up the match.
admirable, for trash-talking, which is despicable.No matter what you say, even if it is not really
"If you truly did hate your last boss, I would benegative, can effect the outcome of the process.
prepared to articulate why your last organizationRemain POSITIVE at all times. Nothing negative
and relationship was not right for you," says Gregsaid will ever respond with a positive outcome for
Moran, director of industry sales and partnershipsyou in the interview game.
for Talent Technology Corp. "Then be preparedIf you are looking to differentiate yourself from
to explain what type of organization is right forwhat your boss has done, simply emphasize your
you and what type of management style youapproach. Let them know who you are and do
best respond to."not reflect the negative attitudes of your superior.
This was sent to me via email last weekSo if there is a call made to your boss, and there
describing an article someone had read referencevery well might be, the call can be positive and
former bosses. I do not agree with theone that enlists a helpful reference vs. that of a
recommendation of allowing this type of response.soured supervisor.
Explaining the sort of org that is right for you andLet me leave you with this. I hear often from
where you fit into that is fine, but having that ascandidates that their current employer is not listed
a prepared response since you dislike your boss isas a reference. Savvy recruiters and companies
not the answer. While people want to be able todo not check just the given references, but seek
say what they want, there is a more appropriatecandid information about the employee from all
answer sometimes and that is simply to bite youravailable sources. They will track down the
tongue.department head or VP that sits over the
Bosses are a unique group as they control yourcandidate and garner information off the record
current situation and possibly even your future.that will allow them to make the most informed
During the interview process, references ordecision. Be prepared, it will happen. People are
employment checks are the last portion of theinvesting in you, so they want to make sure they
puzzle to be completed. Candidates feel that theyare getting what they are paying for. Do not ever
have wrapped the job and then say anythingthink that their is someone that will not be called.
negative about their current employer are not inKeep your guard up and you will keep those
the best place. Once the interview process isbridges connected.
complete, the interviewing company will look to