Posted on May 31, 2019
Can I get your thoughts/opinions on the topic of (civilian) career reputation?
1.01K
8
8
3
3
0
Not specifically military related so I could have posted this to LinkedIn, but the wrong people would see it; and the depth of the Well of Quality Professional Advice on Facebook is, well, "lacking"; hence my coming to you on RP.
In the age of Google, how does one deal with having worked for a small (now defunct) company that had been publicly investigated for wrongdoing--though never prosecuted--but the experience gained there helps meet future job requirements, therefore I can't simply leave it off a resume?
(And there was so much more that I have seriously considered writing a book about that place, but I digress.)
Additionally, I recently got wind that the former president of the company I once worked for may have been bad-mouthing me and my old co-workers within my former industry; an industry I am considering returning to. If true, its one hell of a betrayal on their part and decidedly not warranted. Still, if true what, if anything, would you advise I do about that? To be clear, I don’t know for a fact that happened, and wouldn't ever publically accuse because of that, but it was alluded to by mutual industry connections.
In the age of Google, how does one deal with having worked for a small (now defunct) company that had been publicly investigated for wrongdoing--though never prosecuted--but the experience gained there helps meet future job requirements, therefore I can't simply leave it off a resume?
(And there was so much more that I have seriously considered writing a book about that place, but I digress.)
Additionally, I recently got wind that the former president of the company I once worked for may have been bad-mouthing me and my old co-workers within my former industry; an industry I am considering returning to. If true, its one hell of a betrayal on their part and decidedly not warranted. Still, if true what, if anything, would you advise I do about that? To be clear, I don’t know for a fact that happened, and wouldn't ever publically accuse because of that, but it was alluded to by mutual industry connections.
Posted in these groups: 
Civilian Career
Transition
Civilian Career Transition
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
2
2
0
There are certain types of defamation that are more egregious than others. For example, disparaging a woman's moral character. The type of defamation you describe falls into that category. You can only try and if you discover that your former employer's comments keep you from advancing your career, you have a great case. Sadly, lawsuits cost money and take a long time and even if they turn out in your favor, the very public process of adjudication may only serve to fan the flames (where there's smoke there's fire). In other words, there is no good answer. So, you play your bet and take your chances. If you're blocked from pursuing that career in that industry, try another. Hell, I worked in five completely different careers in five completely different industries in my lifetime. I'm sure others can tell a similar tale...
(2)
(0)
SGT Dave Tracy
It's probably a good thing I'm not much of a lawsuit kinda guy anyway. Even if I had more than a passing reference made about me and my former coworkers by one who has long since moved on, why waste the time fighting old battles in court even if I had a case right? I am more looking to arm myself career-wise when going forward incase he did take shots at my rep. If he didn't or it was misconstrued and limited in scope, no harm no foul...well, still harm from being associated with that particular company; that certainly could follow me. Google is just a couple keystrokes away for even the lowest skilled hiring manager.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
It depends on how big the case was, if it made national news, and if you are applying to jobs in the area where it is well known. People are always going to get some sort of stigma for working at a defunct organization, even one that goes out of business due to competition. For example, a long time ago when I was in retail we gained a manager who worked for a grocery store that went out of business. People always made jokes about it, but she was still hired.
Personally, when I hired people as a division chief, I looked at their qualifications and teased out anything else I needed to know in interviews. I was less concerned about pedigree of their organizations. However, you are giving me an idea for a research project...
Personally, when I hired people as a division chief, I looked at their qualifications and teased out anything else I needed to know in interviews. I was less concerned about pedigree of their organizations. However, you are giving me an idea for a research project...
(2)
(0)
SGT Dave Tracy
Luckily for me it was a few years back, and it was a local issue, with local media coverage MAJ (Join to see); for the most part. That said, more recently, our former CEO/majority shareholder did manage to make a minor splash nationally when he was sentenced to prison in conjunction with a bank fraud scheme involving another business of his and a former NFL player! (Again, more reasons why I really should write a book!)
My greater concern is that our company, and its president, were/are well known in the industry (locally-which is where I intend to be), and that the stink from that whole experience will follow me, especially if I go back to that (or to a related) industry. And with respect to the company president, he is in real tight with my alumni association that have very deep roots in our industry and associated industries both locally and nationally. This makes my secondary concern about the possibility of having my reputation trashed even more irksome.
My greater concern is that our company, and its president, were/are well known in the industry (locally-which is where I intend to be), and that the stink from that whole experience will follow me, especially if I go back to that (or to a related) industry. And with respect to the company president, he is in real tight with my alumni association that have very deep roots in our industry and associated industries both locally and nationally. This makes my secondary concern about the possibility of having my reputation trashed even more irksome.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Do nothing unless you see an attack coming. Hear-say and gossip are not worth your time my friend.
It is everywhere in the world outside of the discipline of military life. It is a cesspool out here. I would say list it and see if it is an issue. You could possibly start your own business in that business; whatever it may be. Good luck will get you further than you know.
It is everywhere in the world outside of the discipline of military life. It is a cesspool out here. I would say list it and see if it is an issue. You could possibly start your own business in that business; whatever it may be. Good luck will get you further than you know.
(1)
(0)
SGT Dave Tracy
I get what you're sayin. My concern is the man who MAY have taken shots at my reputation--on top of the other baggage I carry having worked at that company--has far more weight and has far more connections in my industry than I do. Now it may be that he only made off-hand or misunderstood references about me to just the one person, and let's be honest, hearing things 2nd or 3rd hand does not make for good information, so I'm not mad; just concerned more IF, and how deep, the knife in my back may have gone. LOL!
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google