If asked by a prospective employer why your supervisor is not a reference, it’s important that you do not step into the muck of detail about that situation – and never utter the word bullying. Rather, do your best to be graceful in your explanation. This is a balance of providing some honesty without getting into a lot of detail. An example could be to say something like the fit with your supervisor’s leadership style was not conducive to allowing you to bring the best of yourself to the role; however, others at the company have had the opportunity to appreciate what you can do and can speak to that. Then perhaps focus on the positive experiences with others. Or you can say that you had hoped to have the opportunity for more responsibility but although that didn’t come to fruition in this contract, you are confident that you can do more.
An experienced recruiter or HR professional will hopefully understand the gist of what you are diplomatically not saying and might appreciate your professionalism in not bad-mouthing your boss. That said, it is important to have a strong narrative about your abilities, values, overall career experiences that can allow you to shift away from that sensitive situation into a more compelling area for conversation.
The other thing to note is that this is a contract vs. a full-time, permanent situation. This makes your situation a little easier because you would less likely be asked why you didn’t get invited to stay on permanently. Do not volunteer the information that this may have been an option. But I would encourage you to be very deliberate in your last months at the organization to diffuse any further tension with your boss. Be as pleasant as possible so that if she ever had to speak about you as a past employee, she would be less inclined to speak negatively.
You raised a concern about your job title possibly inferring more responsibility than you were allowed to take on. Job titles can mean different things at different organizations. The best way to honestly demonstrate the scope of your role is to include appropriate detail in your résumé and interview discussions. Be honest about the breadth of areas you were engaged in. Even if not as deep an experience as you’d hoped for, do take a good look at what you did manage to accomplish.
You mentioned your boss tried to fire you on the basis of poor interpersonal skills but almost lost her own job as a result. If interpersonal skills are truly not an issue for you, then the best way to deflect that possible criticism is to showcase good skills in your interviews, networking and even with your references. You may consider checking in with your existing references to gage their perspective on your interpersonal skills.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that while your career prospects may be just fine despite this setback, a toxic boss can sometimes shake our confidence and put us on the defence. Make sure you don’t let this situation unsettle you or define who you are and what you are worth. Take time to remember your greatest assets and to take stock of your skills, strengths and even allies. By reflecting on this, you will be better equipped to put your best foot forward as you get going in your search for your next job.
