I have a problem with obtaining references. In my last position of employment, I was harassed by a homophobic boss and candidly informed that he would make sure that I would "not work in this town again."

An employer I was approaching went straight to my previous employer, who sent them a false but highly negative reference, destroying my chances of getting that job and sending me into a spiral of depression.

So my question is, what can I do when faced with the prospect of either not being able to furnish a reference ... or having to bite the bullet and using a negative one, that being the only usable one I have?

Alex

I have spent a couple of years on Incapacity Benefit through no fault of my own. While I've hardly just let the world drift by, and I've kept the saw as sharp as possible - my field is in IT - nonetheless I am now back on the job market again.

So what is the best way of writing up my CV such that this gap of years doesn't stand out to unkind scrutiny as if I'd served a prison sentence for something nasty?

Alex

I run a smallish business. We employed a large catering firm to provide breakfasts and dinners in our kitchen/dining room. They were poor quality and expensive.

We changed to another catering Co and now find that the same catering staff will be working for the new Co thanks to TUPE. They were rubbish before and the reason we changed Co was to get rid of them.

Are we stuck with duff catering staff for ever (staff we did not select)?

Please advise
Antoine

I got the sack from my last job because I made some serious mistakes in my work. How do I handle this in my next job interview please?

Paul Smith

I am finding it extremely hard to find a job. I am 57 and although cannot be proved I am finding age discrimination is being practised. I have always worked and have to work and despairing. I am applying for jobs I am clearly qualified to do as well as having continued to update my qualifications. I am constantly trying every available avenue.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Rose

I hold a Engineering Managers job in the automotive OEM and am looking to scale down in my work responsibilities.

I have the chance to leave and look for something less stress full. I am just turning 57 and would like some advice on how to scale down my CV and how to word my wants in a cover letter. I have a lot of experience which will sound that I am over qualified suggestions pls

I have recently lost my job; I am looking for some advice on how to get around this problem. I basically got sacked from my position due to racial discrimination towards an employee this is something I am not proud of and want to move forward from this.

I have realised I made a big mistake in doing this. I now need to know if I should keep my last job on my CV or lie and leave it out as I know I can get a pervious manager from another position to give me a reference if future companies ask for one. My role is within sales I am still only young and don't want this to affect me for the rest of my life. Please get back to me with an answer.

Regards, Martin

Jackie Kelly

I am an entrepreneur and have found it a real challenge getting past HR and Recruitment consultants, despite my obvious skills, achievements and experience. They always go for what on paper is the safest option.

They prefer to place candiates who have been classically trained, never earned more than tuppence and never had so much as a parking ticket! This is despite the fact that I was more than qualified for position advertised. Many times, it was clear that they had not read my the CV. So my question is this... Have the Blue Chip Multiples and their clone like trainings, killed off the free enteprise mindset?

Dennis Patrick Carr

For the past few years I have studied hard for IT qualifications, mainly in the networking arena. I have applied for countless jobs in this field, have had numerous interviews. Where I think I have sold myself well. Only to be told on feed back, when I get any at all. That I have not got enough experience for the position. How can I gain experience in the field that I am qualified in if no one will give me a job???

Martin Steele

The charity I work for has been awarded a new tender that involves the need to change my job description. There is a senior job which appears to have more than 50% of my existing job involved and another job on the same rate as I am on at the moment. I want to know if I have the right to be offered the senior post and if not be offered redundancy.

Pat

Hi there, I am currently serving in the Royal Navy and am considering enrolling on a CIPD Leadership and Management NVQ 4 award scheme.

The award is mapped to professional courses that I have completed during my service time. I will also need to complete a portfolio of evidence and statements. My question is this, is the award recognised within the job market, or will the leadership and management skills that I have gained in the Royal Navy serve just as well? I don't want to waste time and money on something that is not recognised by potential employers. Your comments and advice would be appreciated.

Warren

I have recently been TUPE'd. My title was Cleaning Manager, and I worked day 9am-4:30pm. My new employers are insisting that I change my hours of work from 12-7:30pm. As I have a family I am reluctant to do this. Also I do not feel as though I am now a Cleaning Manager as a colleague at a different site has taken over the running of the site at which I was the Manager and is now my Manager. I was under the impression under TUPE that my new employers could not change my terms and conditions in this way. Please advise...

Lisa

I teach in Adult Education but after 17 years I need to change. I would still like a job that makes a difference to people's lives and don't mind a post with some training /presentation. But not full time teaching. I'm thinking of the voluntary/charity sector. Any suggestions? I can use basic IT but I'm not too good with data bases and spread sheets etc. which all jobs seem to require. I'd love to do an IT course but I am so overloaded with work.

Jean

Having worked in the Middle East for (too) many years, in a senior position and having (according to others) an impressive CV, my question is just how to get UK employers interested in me. The age is obviously a barrier as its reasonably apparent that ' no one wants to know you when you are old' ie 60.

How does one persuade potential employers that age, experience and knowledge tend to go together. Face to face it may be very possible, but interviews never turn up because recuiters seem to have a built in 'age filter'. It's very demoralising to be written off without a chance to make ones case.

Steve