I resigned a few months ago from my first post-graduation position as a lawyer in a major public institution where I had previously interned. When I arrived at the job, I started helping senior-lawyers as my main task. After an atypical re-shuffle, I —still the newest hire— was handed an entire senior-level portfolio while also being required to keep assisting every colleague in the unit. My deputy head then began sending me (and only me) on out-of-state trips without coverage, leaving my own files untouched. Workdays stretched past twelve hours as unfinished tasks from others were routinely left on my desk. When I flagged the overload, he blamed my competence; when I took certified medical leave, he publicly threatened to replace me. For all the above, I then began to take my time, if I was already the last to leave, I started to clear myself talking to my colleagues time to time, to go out and smoke a couple of times and arrive 10 or 15 minutes later than usual (also taking into account that the official entry time was at 8 and my boss could arrive until 10, then he made us arrive at 10 and, therefore, leave later), but always finishing my job; things that did not seem to my boss and he started complaining about them. Exit negotiations turned hostile, and I ultimately chose health and dignity over an unsustainable role.
Now, after a couple of months, I need the job back because of economic and personal problems. I would not be with the same boss, but in order to get the job back, I would have to talk to my former boss first, because she will be asked if my job was good while I worked with her and if she had any problems with me.
Any recommendations to talk to her?
OP you have to talk to your old manager because of the firm’s procedures or are you doing it to try to smooth things over?
If it is because of the firm’s rules, then keep the conversation focused on the facts of the new position.
If you are doing it to smooth things over, don’t bother. It sounds to me like the relationship was too toxic. I suspect that your old boss’ behavior is well known in the firm so your hiring manager may not put any stock in your old boss’ opinions.
Because of the institution’s rules. I entered to the job by recommendation and I know a few people that trust my job in that institution. I know a boss of the boss of my former boss hahaha (who works in the main headquarter of the institution) and he told me that I need “the go-ahead” from my former boss so that he can help me get my job back. I need to say that this person is someone that I knew from when I was an intern so our relationship is only about work. He will help me because he trust my job, knows that I deliver a good work.
Ok so keep the conversation to the facts of new position.