I didn’t work while raising my kids, for about 15 years, so since my divorce for13 years , I have had some pretty bad jobs! Jobs you would get with no college degree, or much experience. some sales, some office work, and a postal job that turned sour. With bad supervisors, who didnt care about there employee’s, and would treat them bad, and than fire them when they tried to communicate, that things could be better. So I have no work references, that I would want to use! Would it be better to just leave these jobs off the application and resume, and just put that I have been a stay at home mom for most of the years. Just put the 1 or 2 jobs, that don’t make me look bad?
I hate to lie, but I don’t know what else to do! I need a job!
Image taken on 2007-08-17 09:44:41. Image Source. (Used with permission)
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6 Responses to “On a job resume, or application, is it better not to list the past jobs, that you got fired?”
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I know; the do-gooders will say that it’s a lie by omission, but you are trying to better yourself, so I say, what you dont say, cant hurt you.
yes – most of your time was spent raising kids – no need to shoot yourself in the foot with bad references on your resume.
You do what you got to do to get the work and if that been the truth alittle so be it.
Right! List those you may get good references from and not those you got fired from. Employers expect you to leave those off anyway. Most ppl don’t want a new boss getting a bad review from an old employer. Having spent most of your time as a mother is pretty common. Many employers are willing to hire you because you will work for less pay than someone with a lot of experience. Just remember to be at your best and if the interviewer asks if you have ever been fired tell them the truth but not much detail about the incident.
I’d put them on to account for your time. You can also pump up your resume/ap by the skills you acquired on those jobs. The creative part is listing (ok, embellishing) the length of time on each job and the reason you left, as well as $$ earned.
Such jobs you described probably have a high turnover anyway.
So yeah, lengthen the time where you can, and give reasons like “needed employment that offered more money” “enjoyed position but company downsized # of employees” “accepted employment for day shift and later, employer required evening shift”
The jobs you are describing-usually they dont check previous employers. They dont have time!
If you dont want to put jobs down but have to account for your time, then you can say you worked for yourself cleaning homes, you worked taking care of preschool children until they started school-things that you can give references if asked. (Got friends and family?)
As for lying-well, if you are making my burger and lied to get the job, I dont care. If you’re going to take out my appendix and have lied, well, then there’s a problem.
Sweetie, do the best you can for yourself! You need to eat and pay your rent/mortgage-its bad enough these jobs that you do right now hardly pay to get by. Be creative.
You have a valid reason for gaps in your employment history but If any of your past jobs provided you with experience for the new position, you could include them on your resume. When asked why you left, you’ll need to answer in a very non-judgmental tone. Give the reason you were fired and what you learned from the experience that would make you a better employee in the future.
Whatever you do, don’t ever slam your previous employer! Try to put a positive spin on it.