I recently worked with an Accountant who has only had 2 jobs since graduation. When she resigned from her first job, she was elated. She didn’t enjoy the work, the team or the environment, but stuck it out for 2 years so she didn’t look like a job-hopper. On the upside, it was a good role because she honed her skills in a variety of areas, which looked fantastic on her resume. After resigning, a replacement was found and it was her job to train that person. She didn’t enjoy this either and admits she lost all motivation. Instead of persevering she took the remainder of her notice period as sick leave and returned on the last day to give back keys. This didn’t bother her at the time … she justified it to herself that she already had another job and they had someone else to do the work, so no harm. Right? Wrong!
When it came time recently to look for another opportunity she spruced up her resume, shined her shoes and hit the job market. It didn’t take long for her to be invited to interview and in one week, she was asked by 2 employers for referee details. A very positive sign, maybe she would have the choice of 2 roles! She gave the name and number of her first boss because her current employer didn’t know she was looking. Can you see where this is headed?
Needless to say both employers called and said they wouldn’t be progressing her application. One was bold enough to say she hadn’t reference checked well. She was devastated and realised immediately the consequences of her actions a few years earlier. To her credit, she did call her first employer to try and resolve the situation, but he wasn’t interested. So now she has a decision to make. Tell her current employer that she is leaving before securing something else so that she can use them as a referee, or be honest with employers about what happened when she resigned from her first role and hope they understand she has matured since then.
The motto of this story …. don’t burn your bridges when you resign. You just don’t know what is going to happen or if you will need them in the future.
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© Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant
One2One Resumes ABN 84 356 535 910/002
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