Resume Advice Needed

mirinae

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My temp contract will be up on Friday, and I've been looking over my resume. One thing that's troubling me right now is that for every former employer, I list a contact person and their phone number. Well, one of those contact people passed away two weeks ago, and I don't know anyone else still at that company that I could have potential employers speak to -- there certainly wouldn't be anyone there that could give any commentary on my previous work effort or skills. I can't leave that job off my resume, as I worked there for several years and it's one of my favourite places of employment (the company was bought out and a call centre in Toronto took over my duties, so I was no longer needed). On the other hand, I'm worried that if I don't put down contact information, potential employers will take that to mean that I left that job on bad terms and I'm afraid to have them contact my previous employers. But aren't we supposed to put previous employers' contact information on our resumes?

Any advice on how to put this on the resume? Resumes are so not my forte ...
 

calico2222

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Not my forte either, but maybe you can put next to the contact info "deceased" so they will know that you didn't leave on bad terms and let the interviewer do the leg work? I'm really not sure what to do here (I know, I'm a big help!). I've been putting off doing my resume for too long, because I HATE them! You don't know how to contact any of your co-workers from there?
 

crazyforinfo

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I would put my feelers out and find out who is still with the company or put HR down.
 

ryn

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I'd leave the contact information off the resume (not the job of course) or write down just a general company phone number rather than mention a deceased person. You can always explain the situation in the job interview when previous positions come up.
 

sweets

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I just went thru a resume class in November.

Do not put contact names/numbers on your resume. Instead, at the bottom of the resume put the phrase "References supplied upon request" and have a separate sheet of people you have worked with or have known for more than 5 yrs. Most large companies require referall requests go through Human Resources. On your Referance sheet, list the person's name, phone number, how you know him/her and their email address. You don't need to list their home address. So, if I was to list my old manager, my reference sheet would say:

John Jones
Ref Company
Immediate Supervisor from 2000 to 2006
Phone Number
[email protected]
 
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mirinae

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Originally Posted by Sweets

I just went thru a resume class in November.

Do not put contact names/numbers on your resume.
Really? That just seems so ... so opposite from everything I've been told to do!
But it would certainly help with my situation in this case, except that I don't have any contact information for anyone else at the company: most of them left at the same time I did, and the new people they have working for them will have no clue who I am or what I did there. I'm not even sure how to get in contact with people I did work with there as we didn't keep in touch. (And this company didn't have an HR department when I worked there. There were about ten employees, including me. It was very "Mom and Pop.")
 

sillyjilly

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They generally will not need to get in touch with someone who actually worked with you and remembers you. They would go to someone in HR or payroll even to verify dates of employment and wether you quit, were fired, ect. Technically, they can not tell about job performace as far as she really sucked or never worked right or I really liked her. They have to stick to the line of. Her reviews were good, job was downsized etc. Employed from Aug 01 to Sept 03. That's about it. Good luck either way!
 

swampwitch

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Originally Posted by Sweets

...Do not put contact names/numbers on your resume. Instead, at the bottom of the resume put the phrase "References supplied upon request"...
That is good advice, except it depends on the job. If you've already filled out a detailed application, with former employers and contact numbers, you don't need it on your resume. BUT, if you are applying for a job that is accepting resumes only, I would include the second sheet of references.

Make sure to use heavy cotton paper, on both the resume and envelope, if there is one. I wish you lots of luck!
 

techiegirl

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Well this is my forte, as I used to be a recruiter and have aslo helped in hiring at several companies, so I can help here!

You never list contact information on a resume - only list name of employer, city/state (no address/phone), and dates employed. Oh and the position held of course, and then highlights/accomplishments - preferably in bullet format.

You also never want to waste the space by putting "references available upon request." That is a given; of course you will provide references if they ask, so it is unnecessary to say so, and when employers/recruiters see it, it's like, "well, duh!"


Specifics of employment such as address, phone, supervisor name, etc are listed on the job application. A resume gets you in the door for an interview. Specifics are reviewed later, if you make the first cut.

Originally Posted by SillyJilly

Technically, they can not tell about job performace as far as she really sucked or never worked right or I really liked her. They have to stick to the line of. Her reviews were good, job was downsized etc. Employed from Aug 01 to Sept 03.
Exactly right - employers are not legally allowed to give references and specifics about your performance - only dates employed and if you are eligible for rehire. And have to go through HR anyways, so it doesn't matter if your supervisor is still there - people move companies all the time. Not one of my former supervisors is still with the comapnies I worked with - and being in the tech industry, I have had a lot of jobs!


I can't even tell you how many resumes I have tossed just for the simple reason they were formatted poorly and/or are hard to read. And misspellings! OMG! If you have typos on your resume, forget it!

I'd be happy to help if you have any more questions or would like me to review your resume.

Good luck!
 
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mirinae

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Thanks for the advice, everyone!
 

russian blue

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I've come across this type of situation.

As others have mentioned, make sure to have a separate reference list. You only provide references when you have been short listed for the position. The best reference is a direct supervisor/manager, second option is an HR contact. If neither are available, a payroll person could verify length of employment and position.
 
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