How do I get references for a new job when my performance at my current job has been less than stellar?

I’ve been at my current job for about two years. I think this place has been a total mismatch since very early on, so I’m starting to hunt for other jobs.

I originally took my current job because I was under the impression that I would get to use my background pretty substantially. I have a master’s in a STEM field, and spent a little time working on a PhD until covid hit, everything went haywire and I realized I needed to leave and get my head on straight.

I was left with the impression that my current job wanted me explicitly because of my background, but the nature of the work has made very little use of my background and as a result my performance there has been pretty not-great. I held out for as long as I did because it kept seeming like things were about to hit a turning point, but I’m done waiting for that and starting to look elsewhere. The problem I’m facing is that employers are going to call my current place, and if my current place gives honest feedback I’m not too sure that it’s gonna go so great. I could use some advice on what I can do moving forward and how to work with what I’ve got.

Thanks.



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