I’ve been in private practice for many years. I now want to work through a placement agency. There are many jobs, and I am called and emailed constantly. My problem is that everyone wants recommendations from former supervisors. I haven’t had a supervisor for years, and those I had are deceased or have dementia at this point. What do you suggest?
Well, for starters, I suggest that you definitely don’t say that your former supervisors are either dead or suffering from dementia. If you’ve been self employed in private practice for many years, it’s understandable if you can’t provide former supervisors as references. I would simply say that it’s been too long, and you have not been in touch. Instead, offer to provide referrals from clients and partners with whom you work, or have worked with previously, to speak on your behalf. That’s a perfectly acceptable alternative in situations such as yours.
I wrote to you previously about how I believed the new management was pushing the older workers out. Since then, I’ve been terminated. I took your advice and kept a journal of everything that happened, and have a couple of co-workers on board. I have an intake interview with the New Jersey division on civil rights but not until January. If you have any information about what my next steps should be, please let me know.
I’m sorry that you lost your job. Fortunately, the demand for talent is still very strong, and you will land on your feet soon. In the meantime, I hope that you received enough severance to help you with your transition. If your employer didn’t also provide outplacement services, you should inquire about that before the formal complaints are registered, because, after that, they will be less likely to want to help you. Have your meeting with the Department of Law and Public Safety, through its division on civil rights in New Jersey, which is responsible for enforcing the law against discrimination. There’s more information about rights and procedures at NJCivilRights.gov.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Weds. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. E-mail: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on
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