under employment history, do you guys put everything on there? Like, a job you' had for 3 months? Is there a way for the prospective employer to find out about something you omitted?
NO! Employers want to see a stable work history. For a while, I was changing jobs every 6 months and had it all on my resume thinking they'd appreciate my experience. Didn't get any callbacks. Then I did a little "fuzzy math" with the dates and started getting callbacks and eventually, my current job. If you're worried about them finding out, go ahead and put it on there. Just make sure to be prepared when they ask you why you were only there for 3 months, because they will. IMO, leave it off.
ima, is there a way they can find out? I know they do credit checks and background/security checks. I was in the army for 6 months, but I didn't put it on there.
Don't quote me on this, but if I'm not mistaken they can call you're former employer and verify ONLY that you worked there. I don't think they are allowed to release any actual dates. Maybe someone with more expertise can confirm this. Actually, I would put your Army experience on there. That could show leadership ability and experience in a team oriented environment. Employers love that!
Your resume is different than an employment application. On your resume you should put only relevant work experience. If you had a job for 3 months then it's probably not relevant and you can probably omit it. You can do this by just stating the year you started and the year you finished instead of stating both the month and the year. For example, IBM, Austin, Texas Staff Software Engineer, 1994-1999
Actually, the company being called does not have to say anything other than that you worked there, and how you left..(i.e. fired, downsized, quit). Most just say...Bob worked with us but was downsized in January. They CAN tell about your employment record, but most don't because they don't want to get sued for saying something that lost somebody a prospective job.
I'm just wondering if they'll find it? I mean, I guess I have to give them my SS # for credit check, etc. I wonder if it will be on there?
Depends on the type of discharge. If you have a dishonorable discharge, you probably don't want to highlight it on your resume. If it is honorable or medical, it's probably a good thing. Super-mario is right: the resume is not a job application. It isn't supposed to mention everything about you; it is basically an advertisement. Whether they find out or not, you aren't expected to list everything, especially if they aren't relevant to the job you are applying for. When you fill out an application, they expect full disclosure, but if you don't mention an employer, they won't be able to find out about him. If it is just a 3-month hole, I wouldn't worry about it. You can say you took time off, you were helping your brother build a house, or whatever. If you have a lot of holes though, or a big one, it will reflect poorly on you as potentially unreliable, mercurial or insufficiently dependent on a paycheck. Then again, if you list a bunch of 3-month stints, you'll prove to them that you are unreliable and jump from job to job, which they probably (depending on the industry) won't like.
For a while, I was changing jobs every 6 months and had it all on my resume thinking they'd appreciate my experience. Didn't get any callbacks. Then I did a little "fuzzy math" with the dates and started getting callbacks and eventually, my current job. That's a wise move. Always remember it isn't illegal to lie to an employer in an interview or on a resume.. They lie to you, too about such things as their loyalty, their profitability and, as we have seen from the Enron and tobacco scandsls many other things. I'm not talking about Federal and some other government apps where it is illegal. Of course, if they find out they can fire you, but if you are actually doing good work. why would they do that? Also if they find out quickly it is just anothe little gap to do some fuzzy math on. I suppose there are some folks who would prefer the Singapore system where you have a tamper proof ID that has your job history and would make ima drummer 2k and folks like me when younger unemployable. Fortunately we still have some freedom from the corporations still.
hey guys.... my resume looks horrible. Im 18 years old and I've never had a "real" job and have never really volunteered anywhere. The only work I've done is tempory **** with relatives. Would it even be worth me making a resume and trying for a job with as ****ty as it looks without much to put down? I live in a very small town and 20 miles in all directions of me is ghetto and has too many people for the amount of jobs that are here. We have no big companies near by. I was in Walmart the other day asking for an application and they dont even give out applications no more, so many people are asking to work there. they just have a clipboard and tell you to sign your name and number and they'll call you if they need you. I know atleas 4-5 pages were filled with names, front and back, so I didnt even bother. Any suggestions fellows?
htownrocks, thats a screwed up position to be in.. If I was you, I would start searching for entry-level jobs in the field you are interested in in another area..then you can either commute there until you can afford to move closer, or save your money and move permenantly. everyone has to start sometime, but entry level jobs dont require experience..
oh I am. I'm moving to Houston at the very end of this month. I was thinking about trying to be a teller for a bank... the only requirements there is a HS diploma... or somewhere at like Office Depot/Circuit City/Best Buy where you have to be 18+ for insurance purposes. They pay $7-$8 an hour. sh*t, at Kroger they start out at $6.50. Not bad if I am close enough within walkinng distance.
It was a general discharge. So, not too bad. I'm just curious as to if they bring it up, will they disqualify me. Hopefully I'll find out soon enough.
