Here to help - Let counsellor Keren lighten your load

Our relationship expert Keren Smedley has over 20 years' experience

- Keren Smedley

How do I avoid a bad reference?

Q I want to apply for a new job but I know my present boss will give me a bad reference – he doesn’t like me. I’ve been in the company for 12 years and this man has been my boss for two. The previous one left and is not contactable. I really don’t want to put him as a referee, so I wondered about not mentioning my current job at an interview – but I would then have a 12-year gap on my CV. Vicky, Newcastle

A You can’t have a gap like that on your CV unless you can explain it. Just because you don’t work well together doesn’t mean he‘ll give you a bad reference – he may want you to go! You can always ask for an open reference so you can see it, and then ask him about it if it feels unfair.

Help! My business is in trouble

Q I’m a hairdresser and I have a shop locally, so I know a lot of my customers personally, or at least well enough to say hello to in the street. A number of them change their appointments on the day or even forget to come. I’m losing income because of this. I’d like to have a cancellation fee, but I don’t want to upset them. Emma, address withheld