Dear J.T. & Dale: I have about 25 years of solid work experience. The problem I am having is all of the companies I worked for have declared bankruptcy or been bought. The company names, locations and people have changed. I address these “buyouts” in my resume but I never realized that when a verification is attempted, the past “employers” simply might decline to verify. Suggestions? — Gregory
J.T.: It’s definitely time for some detective work to locate past managers or co-workers who can vouch for your employment. Try creating an account at www.LinkedIn.com, a professional networking Web site where you can search by company name. And it never hurts to Google former co-workers to see who you can locate. I know you probably are not looking forward to such extra work, but I think you’ll find that former co-workers will be receptive to assisting you. After all, because they worked for these vanished companies, they too might need references down the line. So, reconnecting can be good for you and them.
Dale: Agreed. However, instead of seeing this research as a chore, I say it’s providential — networking gold. Your former co-workers have experienced the bankruptcy/buyout tumble and will be sympathetic. You start by chatting with one former co-worker, reminiscing by asking about other co-workers, while also making inquiries about networking into companies on your target list. When encountering those who remember your work and seem particularly sympathetic, you can also ask to add them to your verification/referral list.
J.T.: And let me add a point that I always stress with my clients: These days, with the rate of job changes in America (the average tenure is just two years!), staying in touch with former co-workers and managers is a must. The world of work gets smaller the longer we work, doesn’t it? Going forward, create a file or database of contacts. And then, at least once a year, go through and reach out to those you haven’t spoken to. We all need this kind of professional relationship maintenance because you just never know when you or the job market will make a change.
