Work history question

[xiphias]

So: I'm thinking that the reason I didn't get the security guard postition I went out for is because the dates of employment I put down for myself were probably inaccurate, since I was doing it from memory. Since they verify employment history and all, if those dates were flaky, it wouldn't have looked good.

So I've been phoning up places I've worked to get the dates I was there, and getting things more accurate.

My work history looks even worse than I remember it. It's a couple months here and there, and really nothing else.

Now, I'm pretty sure that some of you reading this have done hiring.

If you were in HR, and someone had an incredibly spotty and fleeting work record, what would you want to hear from them to reassure you that they were someone you wanted to hire? How should I explain this, should I explain this, how do I make this less damaging to myself?

Comments

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

You've already gotten good advice here.

Explaining the long gaps is a very good idea. It is perfectly acceptable to mention that you've been taking care of someone or going to school or helping a family member.

I will make one more suggestion for going to interviews: the interviewer will be asking a lot of questions about you. Be ready to ask questions of the interviewer about the company and the job (do a little research on the place first, that's suggestion 1a). When I was interviewed for my position at my current place I asked questions - about the culture, the environment, the people and even about the compensation plan as it hadn't been mentioned beforehand. Asking questions not only garners you some information, it also bespeaks of an interest in your potential employer.

If you can *and if it seems appropriate* (meaning the interviewer starts it), schmooze with the interviewer a little.