June 29, 2011
How to prove employment after former company folds
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Q: In updating my résumé, I contacted my last three employers to verify that they still have my work history on file. I learned that one company went out of business, and another was bought out and the new owner has no record of my employment. That leaves me with just one previous job where my employment can be verified. How can I provide proof of my employment, short of providing tax stubs? Will prospective employers even care? Will the fact that two of the three businesses I worked for no longer exist make me look bad?
-- H.A., Seattle
Kristen says: When it comes to past employers, there are two types of checks: one is the legal verification of past employers, the other is checking references. To prove your legal employment history, you can request a detailed work-history report from the Social Security Administration. Fees start at $15 for one year; the more years you request, the higher the fee.
Fill out and send in form SSA-7050-F4, Request for Social Security Earnings Information, along with your payment (be sure to make copies of the form). When you fill out employment applications, make a note of the fact that one company has folded and another was bought out, and that you have proof of employment history available upon request.
I would also suggest connecting with your former managers on LinkedIn. If you can’t find them, try contacting clients or partners that you worked with who might still be in touch with your previous supervisors.
As for a potential employer’s request for the information, it truly does depend on the company and even the job (some state and federal laws require background verifications). Most companies that conduct employment and education verification use an external vendor for this.
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Kristen Fife is a recruiter, resume consultant, and employment expert based in the greater Seattle area.
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Art on July 4, 2011 4:12 PM | Reply
The easiest way to prove that you worked for a former employer is to take something when you leave.
Sort of like taking a bath towel from a fancy hotel as a souvinier.
For example, if you worked for Enron, you might think about taking the big "E" off the front of the building.
Or WAMU, you might think about taking your computer with you when you leave. Be sure it has the property tag still on it along with lots of customer files.
Another way to prove you worked at a former company might be to keep clippings of the newspaper articles describing how you got your revenge. But keep it lighthearted. No firebombings or anything.
Kristen Fife on July 8, 2011 8:04 AM | Reply
I received a comment in mail from another reader:
I was looking for similar information for another purpose and learned that a state Employment Security Department office would provide salary history at no charge The form for the self request for records is this web page: http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation/formsandpubs/request-records-self.pdf. The resulting report went back into the late 70’s. My situation was complicated by a merger followed by a sale of properties. Data related to a division that survived the sale of properties had the new merger name. Another division that merged and was later sold after the merger had the latest company name.
Vicki Bartelt on July 16, 2011 1:02 PM | Reply
There are several ways to prove employment after a company has folded, but some of it does require being proactive andassuming that every employer for whom you work will go out of business or not be able to verify your information. Here a few ideas:
1. A copy of your last pay check stub or end-of-the year stubs with your year-to-date earnings on it
2. A copy of your W-2s for the last 7-10 years
3. Staying in touch once a year with ex-coworkers and ex-bosses--not just when you need something from them--so you have their most current contact information...and just to be friendly! (Offer your help, too.)
4. A copy of a Web page that links you to your past employer, such as in a news article or your name and title posted on their Web site
5. Your past business card
6. A copy of your offer letter and separation or resignation letter
7. A copy of your annual reviews, company trainings, or commendations
8. Non-confidential email commendations
9. Getting network connection recommendations on LinkedIn