Ask the expert: Untruthful bosses cause problems for job hunters

Dr MARIE WILSON, head of management and employment relations at the University of Auckland Business School and a veteran of 20 years in corporate management and small business, offers advice.

I'm 40, previously an account manager earning $60,000, who left work nine months ago to have a baby.

The baby is now eight months old, is in full-time day care and has been since three months - and I can't get a job because I have her.

I didn't believe that in this day and age she would be a problem, but prospective employers and agencies, who were all enthusiastic about me, suddenly changed their minds or downgraded the job available or gave any manner of excuse.

This tended to happen after they checked my references, which I thought was strange as I should have very good work references.

Now I have found out that my previous employer, who was not happy that I became pregnant in the first place and made working there while pregnant difficult, is telling prospective employers not only that I left because I was pregnant but that I was not well during my pregnancy, which was completely untrue.

They could also be indicating that I'm a single mother, which is again untrue. How do I combat this and obtain a reasonable job? As I was only with them a year, do I simply just leave them off my resume?

The facts you have outlined indicate that the issue doesn't seem to be the baby. It's your former bosses, especially since you are getting a very good response up until the time they check your references.

First, do what you can to verify that they are saying these things, by calling your boss or asking the employers who didn't hire you.

Assuming that your old boss is poisoning your job search, and that other former bosses would be more supportive of your search, use them instead.

You are entitled to select your referees, particularly if they know your work over a broader time frame. Some CVs note why each referee should be consulted. For example: "This person was a team member during a major change and saw how I led others."

You may also wish to include why you have left positions on your CV. Some employers might want to contact your most recent employer and you will need to be able to decline this request with an explanation of why this person does not provide a true profile of your employment.

Your family status is, of course, your own business, but if you are going to use parental leave to explain your time away from work, you may also want to let potential employers know of your motivation to return to work, although this seems to have been no problem until they called your former boss.

I am in the administration/accounting field, seeking employment in the Warkworth area.

I have gone through your reply to one of the aspirants who is having experience in banking from India.

I am sailing in the same boat and I have more than 30 years experience in banking, rising to assistant general manager.

I am trying hard for a brief meeting with HR consultants to targeted banks, and I am following up with consultants and agencies.

However, so far, there has been no positive response.

I intend to do a postgraduate diploma in banking and business from Massey University and collected all the information about that course.

I need your specific guidance and opinion on whether this education will help me to get an entry in the New Zealand banking sector, or is age the constraint? I am ready to relocate any where in New Zealand and mobility is not a constraint for me.

I am a bit concerned about your plans. I've received at least two dozen letters in the past few months from older workers seeking to re-enter the banking industry.

Banking is an industry where technology and industry consolidation has meant that there are many more former bankers than positions available.

I think you should consult HR managers in some of the top banks, as well as the career advisors at the university about what your career prospects are in banking, whether you gain an additional qualification or not.

If your flexibility extends to what type of business you work in, then you might want to take stock of your skills and experiences and look more broadly than banking. Good administrative and accounting skills are in demand, and coupled with other skills may open a wider variety of options.

Send your questions to:

julie_middleton@herald.co.nz