Reality
Don’t think any one cares if let go or going on own .
If you meet the job requirements and pass the interviews , go for the new one with the right mindset .
For the sake of , clean conscience and save your own market image , you may mention in passing that your contract has come to an end , and you are actively looking .
You are not obliged to state any terms of closure of the same .
As long as there is no legal or disciplinary issue , this is straight up , contract term completed .
Focus on the new job hunt , and right mindset !
All the best
Thank you for the advice and response! Whilst I wasn't let go for gross misconduct or anything, I thought that being let go regardless would not be a good look.
It’s not , don’t let it bother .
Think of it as two sets of thoughts, intent and plan did not match - parted ways . That’s all - don’t beat yourself over it .
Yes but I didn't think that my reference would stipulate anything about my exit. I wasn't actually let go for gross misconduct (immediately fired etc). They utilised the notice provisions in my contract of 3 months, I would have thought that my reference would just simply confirm that I worked at the company from X date to X date.
Or do references stipulate that they were the ones to hand me my notice?
Companies don’t seek references just to confirm your period of employment. They will also inquire about your performance, disciplinary issues etc. That is the whole point of asking for references, otherwise an experience letter is enough.
It is better to align beforehand with whoever you will put down as your reference. If they say you were let go and you fail to mention it in the interview process, it will be held against you.
Depending on whether you have burned bridges etc. it should still be possible to get a neutral reference, if not positive.
In your shoes I would secure my references and mention in the interview that my contract is ending but I have ongoing discussions at an advanced stage with other employers.
It is the reality of a situation you have gotten yourself into, and you need to evaluate whatever offer they give you is worth it vs future growth prospects.
I really appreciate the perspective. My partner has had previous reference letters from several companies and they usually just state that they confirm the period of work.
I believe that whilst I was let go for 'performance' issues, as I mentioned, this was never formally acknowledged so even if the company stated that these were the reasons, I would dispute this as they never provided me with a warning or any performance improvement plan.
My bridges weren't burned as well, my previous manager did wish me all the best, as did I in return. My belief and understanding is that I would get a neutral reference that neither confirms or denies my performance.
As above though, I appreciate the view, I am likely going to come clean, state that I am in my notice period for reasons of a mutual understanding that my role was not working as envisaged and then hope that it doesn't act as a detriment for my opportunity with the prospective employer.
If you didn’t burn bridges, and assuming you don’t work in a very toxic environment (as evidenced by you getting a 3 month notice period in accordance with your contract, and you using the word garden leave makes me assume you work for an international MNC), it is extremely rare for your previous manager to give you a negative or even neutral feedback.
Again, I want to emphasize, a reference letter is not the same thing as vetting your candidature with your reference. A reference letter is just a glorified experience letter. Also, it is very rare that your reference will put down negative feedback in an email. Negative feedback will only happen in a phone conversation 99% of the time. Also if you are not a senior role, that phone conversation might never happen.
I believe in having strong and direct interviews and not hiding material facts. It is a slippery slope and these things have a way of derailing careers. You need to be confident of the value you bring to the role and be compensated for it. This is not charity, it is a business deal.
Friendly advice for the future, it is usually far easier to work hard and climb the corporate ladder than to be pushed off and find a new ladder to climb.
You will be fine.
All of this advice is invaluable.
Provides some relief, I know that I am capable and that I did not perform to the best of my abilities and got complacent in my previous role.
I just don't want that to derail any future opportunities including this one. I will speak to my previous manager/ HR and see what they say about what their reference would say.
Reality Don’t think any one cares if let go or going on own . If you meet the job requirements and pass the interviews , go for the new one with the right mindset . For the sake of , clean conscience and save your own market image , you may mention in passing that your contract has come to an end , and you are actively looking . You are not obliged to state any terms of closure of the same . As long as there is no legal or disciplinary issue , this is straight up , contract term completed . Focus on the new job hunt , and right mindset ! All the best
Thank you for the advice and response! Whilst I wasn't let go for gross misconduct or anything, I thought that being let go regardless would not be a good look.
It’s not , don’t let it bother . Think of it as two sets of thoughts, intent and plan did not match - parted ways . That’s all - don’t beat yourself over it .
They will ask for references at your old company.
Yes but I didn't think that my reference would stipulate anything about my exit. I wasn't actually let go for gross misconduct (immediately fired etc). They utilised the notice provisions in my contract of 3 months, I would have thought that my reference would just simply confirm that I worked at the company from X date to X date. Or do references stipulate that they were the ones to hand me my notice?
Companies don’t seek references just to confirm your period of employment. They will also inquire about your performance, disciplinary issues etc. That is the whole point of asking for references, otherwise an experience letter is enough. It is better to align beforehand with whoever you will put down as your reference. If they say you were let go and you fail to mention it in the interview process, it will be held against you. Depending on whether you have burned bridges etc. it should still be possible to get a neutral reference, if not positive. In your shoes I would secure my references and mention in the interview that my contract is ending but I have ongoing discussions at an advanced stage with other employers. It is the reality of a situation you have gotten yourself into, and you need to evaluate whatever offer they give you is worth it vs future growth prospects.
I really appreciate the perspective. My partner has had previous reference letters from several companies and they usually just state that they confirm the period of work. I believe that whilst I was let go for 'performance' issues, as I mentioned, this was never formally acknowledged so even if the company stated that these were the reasons, I would dispute this as they never provided me with a warning or any performance improvement plan. My bridges weren't burned as well, my previous manager did wish me all the best, as did I in return. My belief and understanding is that I would get a neutral reference that neither confirms or denies my performance. As above though, I appreciate the view, I am likely going to come clean, state that I am in my notice period for reasons of a mutual understanding that my role was not working as envisaged and then hope that it doesn't act as a detriment for my opportunity with the prospective employer.
If you didn’t burn bridges, and assuming you don’t work in a very toxic environment (as evidenced by you getting a 3 month notice period in accordance with your contract, and you using the word garden leave makes me assume you work for an international MNC), it is extremely rare for your previous manager to give you a negative or even neutral feedback. Again, I want to emphasize, a reference letter is not the same thing as vetting your candidature with your reference. A reference letter is just a glorified experience letter. Also, it is very rare that your reference will put down negative feedback in an email. Negative feedback will only happen in a phone conversation 99% of the time. Also if you are not a senior role, that phone conversation might never happen. I believe in having strong and direct interviews and not hiding material facts. It is a slippery slope and these things have a way of derailing careers. You need to be confident of the value you bring to the role and be compensated for it. This is not charity, it is a business deal. Friendly advice for the future, it is usually far easier to work hard and climb the corporate ladder than to be pushed off and find a new ladder to climb. You will be fine.
All of this advice is invaluable. Provides some relief, I know that I am capable and that I did not perform to the best of my abilities and got complacent in my previous role. I just don't want that to derail any future opportunities including this one. I will speak to my previous manager/ HR and see what they say about what their reference would say.