Quote:
Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche
Good points. However, my former substitute teaching placement agency has broken the law then, by going into specific details with even my temp agency recruiters about assignments I was on, where students assaulted me, citing to the recruiter that is an example of my poor classroom management. So, the human resources people at my former substitute teaching placement agency can't be trusted to act as a professional reference for me b/c they are divulging protected information to prospective employers (my temp agency recruiters) about examples of my negative encounters with students.
So, my only recourse is to contact teachers I subbed for, whose classroom I had a positive experience in. I have zero administrative references except for maybe one; but that was from 5 years ago and is not current. So, is 5 years too old?
I did not realize professional references had an expiration date on them. I thought that was only for dairy products and organic produce you buy at the grocery store. I didn't think people's opinions had expiration dates. That is disappointing to learn.
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I think the post prior to the above was pretty amazing actually and I want to address your response.
Regarding what your former employer did, were this in the majority of Canada for instance, that would in fact be breaking the law and worthy of addressing via the Labour Board. I am sorry to hear they would do such a thing.
As for those professional references you need... as previously pointed out they need not be people you actually worked for or alongside. For instance a professional colleague could be a peer from a similar business or industry you had professional contact with. A colleague could be someone you volunteer with. A great reference source is from a former client - perhaps you might get a reference from a the parent of a former student even. A professional might even be someone you encountered regularly who can speak to your character.
I too have been a hiring manager. I did not want to know a run down of all the skills persay a candidate performed. I wanted to know what their work ethic was. I wanted to know how they got along with their co-workers. I wanted to know if they were a self-starter? A team player? Trainable? and above all RELIABLE.
Ideas... have you ever volunteered? Have you worked with clients or customers? Have you developed relationships with peers in your previous work places? Do you have anyone who can speak to your accomplishments?