Can I get a reality check here?

[athelind]

I'm filling out a job application for something that looks fairly promising -- except, of course, once again, they want my employment history for the last ten years. Including supervisor names and contact numbers.

Ten years ago. What kind of anal retentive git keeps that kind of information around for that long?

I don't have it. I mean, I know where I worked. Even addresses. But names? Phone numbers? Hellfire and damnation, what makes anyone think that a ten year old phone number will still be any good? That some poor wretch who was my supervisor a decade ago will still be stuck in the same pathetic job?

Really. Seriously. I'm asking you folks out there in LJ land. Do you have this kind of information handy? Do people keep little black books entitled All The Pointy-Haired Bosses I Ever Had?

And if you're supposed to do this...

Why didn't anyone ever tell me this sort of thing beforehand?

Oh -- and any suggestions about what I should do? Just leave it blank, and look like an idiot?

Hellfire, in some cases, I've checked, and the information is simply no longer available. The offices are closed, my records are gone, all that.

I'm going to go ride my bicycle.

Comments

[drleo.livejournal.com]

I don't have that much employment history yet. If I did, I think the only place I would have it would be in old resumes -- and obviously that would be no guarantee that the information is even correct.

[xylen.livejournal.com]

I know how you feel there. It's got me thinking that the next job I get I'm going to hand my own forms to the supervisors and such that ask them to list EVERYTHING right down to blood type and how many times they break wind in one day for stuff like this.

The one I really don't understand is why they're checking credit records now for getting a job.

[araquan.livejournal.com]

I've wondered about the credit thing myself... I've heard some vague handwaving about credit rating showing how responsible you are but that's it. I could see it for positions involving handling a lot of Other People's Money (banking, investing, etc.) but sometimes I think it's simply not justified.

[pathia.livejournal.com]

I did and do, my father instructed me as soon as I got my first summer job at age of 15, to keep a logbook of my supervisors and make sure to keep it updated with their information.

I'd fill out as much as you can, with what you have. If you worked for a national company, just give them the HR number.

ahh a young 'un....

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Well done Sir! This fits in with the modern "portfolio" approach to job hunting and in these days of less structured career trees and ameobic companies (slimy management but theres no change there!) is a good move. Also when you want to write your auto biog you've got a good source.

He. I worked 1977 - 1982 in a systems & weapons place doing ministry work. Telling what I did makes me a security risk, not telling shows me as inattentive and inarticulate.

These days I have no trouble, I go see the HR manager, who sits opposite me, all acne spots and insecurity, notes my age (47) on the CV for the first time and declares me "overqualified" ie. I might have trained his dada if dada had ever done anything more productive than pushing paper on a desk.

Always wanted to travel.....

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

This is just the take-home test. When you've gathered the information as completely as you can, make a crib sheet of it before going on any interviews, because the receptionist will invariably make you fill in one of these forms on the spot before anyone will invite you in to talk, even though the company already has most if not all of this information on your résumé. If you sit there for a half-hour trying to remember everything, it doesn't look good.

[delako.livejournal.com]

hmmmm..10 years ago I was 16 and I think I worked at the Country club..that lasted for 2 weeks tho :)

I think if you can remember then thats fine. If not then at least list it and what your titel was..and what you did for that company 10 years ago. If they ask about it specifically just tell them you dont have that info available because theyve vanished :) But I think some people actually had the same job for like 10 years so thats why they ask that...

[paka.livejournal.com]

My guess is, someone in HR thought it looked spiffy or it's just trying to get some overall view of your employment history. I just can't think they really expect the answer to be valid. Maybe if they let you give a description you can explain that the place doesn't exist anymore?

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Are they expecting you to work with kids or top secrets?
I could list all the companies I've been at over the last 25 years or so and I COULD name the supervisors FWIW....but 1.Most of the companies are kaput (why d'ye think I left?) 2. Many of the aged mentors I had are deader than Jacob Marley.
Ten years ago I was in my only lengthy spell of unemployment...I could tell you who I applied to (still got my applications file handy) and I was at a Training Co doing the famous NVQ courses that kept the unemployment stats down for the Major govt.
The training co is long gone from the Hackney address...last I knew they were in Harrow (better heeled clientele) but they are probably kaput now too...
Unless you're applying for an investigative/surveillance job, in which case you are demonstrating your abilities!

Good luck with the job...if you can stand working for such EEEEEDIOTS!

[araquan.livejournal.com]

Hell, I don't have phone numbers or contact info for managers for even five years ago. I think I could maybe get in touch again with some folks from three years ago if I worked hard at it but it'd be nontrivial.

[bigtig.livejournal.com]

To go through security clearence can required up to 15 years of this information plus addresses at all locations where you have lived for more than 90 days plus a unique person who can be contacted who knew you at that location.

You will NEVER be able to have all this data in most circumstances. Prepare it as best you can. If the manager is gone, leave the company phone number. If the company is gone, give the phone number for the new company or lawyer handling the closure, etc.

Do your best and move on. Chances are they just want to call one or two of them and make sure you're not mulching babies in your spare time.

[athelind.livejournal.com]

Chances are they just want to call one or two of them and make sure you're not mulching babies in your spare time.

Well, they didn't ASK about my SPARE TIME....

[(Anonymous)]

Provide what you can, even old useless addresses
if you've kept touch with any co-workers that's good to have
You'll want to put a binder together with everything you've got
If this was for DoD add:
School transcripts, all organizations, clubs, and organized activities
You would need your parent, sibling, and spouse job info, soc.security, date and county of birth, service number and date of discharge (if any military service)
Your selective service number and registration date
Doctors, dentist..
A copy of your birth certificate
Passport number, Blood type, foreign travel...
It gets real anal. Oh and if it looks like you're up for the job the FBI will interview a few people and you may get your trashcan personally sorted for a few weeks (all in secret of course)
(the two idiots with the pickup always groused loudly and banged the can, real professionals)
Anyway put together what you can so you have it in one place.

[silussa.livejournal.com]

Actually, I keep an up to date resume...although there is no promise that the info is current. But then, they don't ask for current...they ask who your supervisor was.

[luxatos.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't have the "Pointy-Haired" part in there, but... I should.