Filling out work history form after job offer (employment, application, employer)

[silverkris]

Good news is I got a job offer.

Now I have a question - I have to fill out a completed application for employment form as part of the required documents - which states work history for the last 10 years.

Questions:

1) For each present/past employer, they ask for one's supervisors name and "may we contact this employer for a reference - yes or no?"

The problem with a couple of my past employers is that the office where I worked closed down several years ago and the supervisor in question now works overseas at another company. It would make it hard for them to contact them, but I am concerned that a "no" answer might raise a red flag that I have something to hide.

2) Also, they ask you to list your starting and ending salary or wage rate. Will it matter if I don't list that?

Your input is most appreciated.

[ccm123]

1/ Put yes down, but explain the situation. A no might raise a red flag.
2/ It may. They may think: what is the applicant hiding? I always did and it never mattered after I received the offer.

[ipaper]

You give them information that is required on the application to the best of your knowledge. Give them the name of your supervisor at the time, where he is at now is not your problem. I have checked no to the question of contacting my supervisor but I also had to explain the reason. Checking no didn't stop me from getting that job that I'm still on today.

[Smooth23]

Originally Posted by ccm123

1/ Put yes down, but explain the situation. A no might raise a red flag.
2/ It may. They may think: what is the applicant hiding? I always did and it never mattered after I received the offer.

This except don't put an explanation, give them the main line number for the old business if available, let them figure out he no longer works there....why should you be keeping track of him for them.

[smarterguy]

Just make a note that your boss isn't there. When asked, I just find the general number for the company (first result on Google) if I don't know if my old boss still works there. I've done this a few times with no problem. If the place is closed down, then just make a note as well. Don't spend too much time. Like the others have said, let them track these people down.

I'd personally leave salary info off, and I usually have. If they have serious interest in your employment, I don't think it'll matter. Although, if you've already received an offer, unless it was significantly more than your previous salary, I guess it can't hurt.

[BigDaveyL]

I would tell them up front that the operation is closed down. If they want more info, you can talk with them about it.

[silverkris]

Thank you very much for all your replies, they are helpful.

Another thought - I have a current employer who I did work for part time, on an as-needed basis, but because they are short of cash, they have stopped paying me - and they still owe me a fair amount of money. I don't want to have them contacted as a reference lest they interpret that because I have another job an that will lead them to believe that they don't need to pay me. Total PITA but I can't let that keep me.

I think I will need to preface that with an explanation of the situation....correct?

[ccm123]

They may ask you, what you are doing for recourse, with this part time employer. Then, you may say something like: "I am pursuing legal action to get my back pay". This could put you in a delicate situation, because when lawsuits are discussed, this new employer may be led to believe that you like to pursue lawsuits.

I would leave this company off the resume, if at all possible.

[Boosane]

Chances are they don't even contact them. Secondly, I'd have your wife or mom act as the "employer".

[dontfret]

I put down "yes" even if my former supervisor has quitted her job. It's HR duty to track down my past job contacts. Beside, you can always claim that you are not aware of your former supervisor quitting her/his job, sometimes people leave jobs without telling you.