Past Employment - will it hurt me?

[CharleeJo.RN]

So, I'm a new grad LPN and looking for a job. I may be a neurotic, but I can't help but worry that past employment will hurt me when they're doing ref checks. Not like I've ever committed a crime or anything of that sort, just I was young and didn't have much of a work ethic, and I was fired from 2 jobs - 1 for leaving the desk unattended and another for "not including enough residents into activities" (when i worked as an activity aide). however, throughout clinics I have gotten stellar ref's from my instructors - being a very hard worker, motivated, compassionate, etc - and my job before coming to school, everybody loved me there & i got a few promotions.

AM I JUST CRAZY AND WORRYING FOR NOTHING? if any of you have experience in HR or anything to that degree, any advice would be lovely. Like I said, I never did anything aweful, but my work history isn't spotless and I always worry that "my past" will be used against me - like they won't think I'm worth taking a chance.

Anyone else experience this and find your worries were unfounded? or the opposite? anyone, anything?

[oguesswhat]

Was that a while ago? Some places don't look past 5-10 years. If it's that long ago chances they won't know/ask.

[SCSTxRN]

I used to joke that I had diamonds in my back - I looked as good going as I did coming. Most of my prior references were good, but there were a few that just ticked me off to the point that I threw my apron down and stomped out. When I started looking for teaching positions, I didn't get the first position I interviewed for. I asked and was told that some of my references had mentioned a volatile personality and irresponsible behavior. I told the interviewer (friend of a friend of a family member) the situations and asked how I could have handled it better.

The next interview, when asked how I dealt with something difficult in the past I brought up my previous immature behavior - and how I wished I had handled it. I got that job. I've taught for 10 years now, and I've gotten every job since - I don't worry about my references anymore. :) The benefit of growing up - and getting less volatile. LOL

I realize that your employment history may not be the same, exactly - but if there is any way that you have learned from it, and especially if it relates to the questions that you're asked, I would describe it as an intense learning experience. Otherwise, I would just avoid giving those jobs as references if I could... obviously you have to include them in your history, but if you have a good number of good (and more recent / applicable) references, they probably won't get called.

Good luck.