How do you explain on your resume that the company you worked for the longest period of time in your career went out of business and your managers and supervisors were laid off?..

8 Comments

1. Looking for a changeSeptember 5,2022 at 11:09PM UTC

   If it were me I would say the company went out of business.
   If they ask for a reference I’d say I’ll forward them do you have anyone you can put

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 5,2022 at 11:37PM UTC

   Employment verification and references are two different things.

   For employment verification, the prospective employer can reach out to the company and confirm dates of employment, title and if you're eligible for re-hire.

   Because your company is out of business, you may be able to show something like a W2 (with confidential info like SS# and earnings blanked out) to confirm employment.

   References are supplied by you to the potential employer - typically 3, a combination of manager/supervisor and peers. I would start working now to make sure you are connected to people from the company that went out of business who can be a reference for you. Make sure you have their phone and email contact information and their permission to use them as a reference.

   References should only be given to a potential company if they want to make you an offer. Until then, your references are no one's business. Please do not list references on your resume - that is not cool in this age of rampant identity theft.

   When a company asks for a reference, I always recommend calling the reference and giving them a heads up to keep an eye out for either and email or a phone call and give them the reference check company name if you have it. You might also give them a quick overview of the position you're interviewing for and say you're really excited about the opportunity.

   I see no reason to explain on your resume that the company went out of business.

   If you feel strongly about including it, you could say

   XYZ Company

   Project Manager

   January, 2008 to August, 2022 (company went out of business)

   Please let me know if you have any questions.

3. AnonymousSeptember 6,2022 at 1:18AM UTC

   Network and use your current contacts as references.

   If asked explain the business went under and everyone was let go.

4. Wendy ScottSeptember 6,2022 at 2:05AM UTC

   Tell the truth, recruiters (agencies or internal recruiters) have heard it all. before.

   Use your most recent managers as references and try to track down your old managers on LinkedIn and contact them that way.

   good luck :-)

5. Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LSeptember 6,2022 at 2:21AM UTC

   You do not explain it on your resume.

6. Jacqueline CutlerSeptember 6,2022 at 2:56PM UTC

   I would just leave the pertinent information about the position - title, dates, responsibilities - on the resume and in the cover letter, if it warrants it, explain that the company went out of business. This might also be more appropriate at an interview - if asked.

   Even though the managers and supervisors were laid off, you should still be able to use them as references if they agree.

7. Joanne RosenSeptember 6,2022 at 4:25PM UTC

   Find your old boss and coworkers on LinkedIn. Ask them to write a recommendation for you there. It's the best way to have your references available. ONLY the owner of the account can access it and write it. So, it's not like some piece of paper that anyone can forge.

   It also gives them a way to contact that person for more information.

   LinkedIn is such an important tool that most people don't know how to use. That's why we teach our clients to be Super Users!

   Cheers

   Joanne

   www.analyticadvantagecc.com

8. Carol23September 10,2022 at 3:42PM UTC

   Be honest. It has happened to me more times that I know. With regard to references, do you have ANY of the full names of your former employers? If so, use their names, try Googling their names and you should be able to get their phone number and addresses. (You might want to call them to give them a heads up that you are using them as a reference.) Use Linkedin and you might find out where they are currently working. Also, in the future, always ask for a letter of recommendation when you know you can trust them to give a good recommendation.