Thin margins, lacking customer base, poor location and supplier issues put companies out of business every day. You might find yourself three-jobs-from-now needing to refer to that now-defunct company because the job descriptions are a perfect match. What's the trouble with using a company that has closed for good on your resume? How do you prove you were ever there? You could leave that company off your application or do some digging.
If you spent all your time at work without ever getting a single piece of contact information for supervisors, owners or co-workers, you have a big job ahead. But if you got at least one or two full names, phone numbers, emails or anything else that can help you locate the right person, it is time to start smiling and dialing.
Advertisement Article continues below this adRight now, even if you are happy with your current job, collect names, email addresses, social media contacts and whatever other information that you can. Most importantly: get information about the company owner and any partners, your immediate supervisor, the receptionist and the company bookkeeper. If the company has an HR department, get the current HR rep's contact information, along with information for the next two management levels above. HR reps tend to have short tenures, so the additional levels of management help ensure that you still have a line to the right person.
Professional networking and collaboration sites such as LinkedIn, Google Plus and Skype are a treasure trove of information you can use to track down owners, partners and supervisors from companies that have closed their doors. Crosscheck everything you find. Do a test email or phone call to ensure that you have the right person before you share any information with prospective employers. If you skimp on due diligence, you may look like a moron at best and a liar at worst. Make sure you speak to the right person or get advice on who you should contact if you haven't found them.
Advertisement Article continues below this adThe Small Business Administration, Better Business Bureau or your local Chamber of Commerce may have information about your prior employer. To contact the Small Business Administration by mail, write to:
You can reach the Better Business Bureau by typing your city and state or your ZIP code into the "Locate" box in the "Contact Your Local BBB" section on the SBA.gov landing page. You can find your local Chamber of Commerce by typing your city or state into the "Go" box on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.
Article continues below this ad
The IRS may have information about your prior employer. Every employer has an employer identification number or EIN. The IRS uses these numbers to distinguish between one business and another. Business owners must apply for a new EIN if they purchase or inherit an existing sole proprietorship, go bankrupt, incorporate or become a partnership. You will find the EIN in box "b" on your W-2 form.The security-cleared career network, Clearancejobs.com recommends using the last known address and phone number for your supervisor and former employer if you can't find anything else. You can also provide contact information for businesses that operate from the old location. While the owners may not be able to vouch for you, they can at least confirm that the old company existed.
Jane Smith has provided educational support, served people with multiple challenges, managed up to nine employees and 86 independent contractors at a time, rescued animals, designed and repaired household items and completed a three-year metalworking apprenticeship. Smith's book, "Giving Him the Blues," was published in 2008. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in education from Kent State University in 1995.