Ask an Expert: I'm Afraid to List My Former Boss as a Reference

Several AOL readers wrote in to say they did not have a good working relationship with their former supervisor and they are concerned about using them as a reference on a job application. It's the classic catch 22. If you don't list the supervisor as a reference, the hiring manager may wonder why. If you do list them as a reference, the former supervisor may say something damaging to your candidacy.

What can you do? Here are a few suggestions.