Fired for misconduct-worried about their reference (attorney, employment, salary)

[Cindy Newman]

I worked for a company in a Southern Illinois small town for nearly 6 years and was fired for making a bad decision concerning policy. I am very worried as to what they may be saying to prospective employers. What can I do? I haven't worked for almost two months now and have got no calls. I have sent out resumes and filled out an application almost daily. I know the economy is bad but come on. They must really be giving me a bad reference. According to what I've read in other postings-position worked, salary, dates of employment and whether or not they would rehire me is all they can ask. Is this true and the law in Illinois. If someone really knows please post info for me. I would appreciate it.

[linicx]

I think your particular circumstances could dictate: A- the type of recommendation from this former employer, and B- whether or not you would be considered for a re-hire. C- the result of your bad decision may play a factor, too - especially if it cost the company money or loss of reputation. Hopefully, it is an interal matter.

[Prairie]

Whether or not they would rehire you is the key, if they say no it will discourage a perspective employer. In the current economic times they can be choosy and yes, this is going to hurt you in your job search. Beef up your personal references, you may need to ask them to write a reference that you can include with your resume. Good luck.

[Prairie]

One other suggestion, while you are looking for employment find some place to volunteer. This will also help you in your search for employment and it looks excellent on the resume.

[aragx6]

Lots of people with perfect resumes and references can't get jobs. No surprise you're having problems. In a normal economy, two months is a long time to go without a call. Right now, the average amount of time it takes to get a job is almost 6 months.

[cavewoman]

Working somewhere for 6 years is a good track record. Don't get to discouraged and the best policy is honesty. Everyone makes mistakes. The average job searching right now is much longer these days than 6 months. Sorry to say, last number I saw on Career builder was closer to 8 months.
It's tough out there.

[Badday]

I don't think your employer can give the circumstances of why you were fired. That would be like a violation of defamation of character. Check the laws or ask the employment agency, but I would not let others know why you were fired, just say it was a difference in opinion or something else other than what your saying it is.

[Cindy Newman]

Thanks a lot Badday. I did e-mail an Attorney about the problem and he said the same thing. I had a friend call for a reference (posing as a prospective employer) and they didn't say too much at all. They verified my dates of employment, said they could not say the reason why I was discharged and did not say one way or another as to the probability of hiring me back in the future. I have been saying something else now at interviews. I've calmed down considerably since then. Thanks againg.

[Cindy Newman]

Cavewoman, Thanks for the encouragement. I know 6 years is a good amount of time and I've been putting on my resume the fact that I had perfect attendance last year. THIS IS TRUE! I was the only one out of a dep't of 33 people to get it. I was cross-trained in 7 different positions, each position came with different hours and for the entire time I worked there my schedule was never once repeated. It changed every day of every week. It Sucked! My husband hated it worse than me, he never knew when was a good time for anything here at home. Man, I don't miss that, that's for sure. I'm keeping a positive attitude. Thanks again.

[Cindy Newman]

Prarie, I liked your reply to my question. I had a friend call and act as a perspective employer and they didn't say they would rehire me in the future and more importantly, they didn't say they would not. The lady replied, " I can't say"