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

[cheshyre]

One thing you might do is point out you had been earning the money for schooling, and say the breaks were when you were a full-time student.

[msdaisy.livejournal.com]

You most certainly should explain it. And not wait for a question about it. In fact, if you don't think you'll get an interview without explaining it, put a short explanation in your cover letter.

Can you accurately say that you were in school during the breaks? Or taking care of someone. For example, in my opinion, taking care of your household so your wife can work and the two of you can be happy can legitimately be explained to an interviewer as "for personal reasons, it was necessary for me to be home to take care of my wife" or whatever version of that you're comfortable with. Were you doing regular volunteer work, like the Sunday School teaching you've mentioned? first of all, it should be on your resume. second of all, point out that you were going to school and volunteering, or taking care of your wife and volunteering, or whatever.

I don't recommend actively lying on resumes or in interviews, but creative explanations are completely okay. And you're very creative. :)

when I'm interviewing someone, I'm much more interested in their mind than their work history. Granted, I'm interviewing people who already have a very specific educational and professional background. But I think that holds true for most jobs. The question is less "can he do the work?" and more "will I enjoy working with him?" Holes in your resume that aren't explained would make me nervous about working with you -- will you stay around? but if you have reason, and point out that that reason is no longer true, I will believe that you will stay, and will be content with your explanation.

sorry this is long and rambly. I really should be working. :)

[navrins]

If you're looking for low-skill jobs (like security), checking your work history is probably more a matter of "Is he a liar" and "Does he come to work when he's supposed to" than "Will he stay here a long time." Hirers like that are much less likely to be looking for someone who will stay on for the long term; they expect high turnover.

That said, if you can give a convincing explanation of why *this* is the right job for you and you are the right person for this job, that'll probably make more impact than your job history, as long as they can verify that the gaps aren't because you were in jail or working as a drug dealer or something like that. All else being equal they'll hire someone with a steady work record, but that just means you need to make sure all things don't look equal.

[angeyja.livejournal.com]

We do look at this rather closely. And I agree that its best to be upfront. It's something that would be very attractive to me to know that you were aware of it and inititing the discussion rather than having me dig for it. That being said, I see rather a lot of this now... it not unusual to see people moving about as they are trying to find the right thing.

From the other side of the desk, I really do want to find people that will like the job I have to offer and like working with us because it truley is the best thing. People stay. people are happy to be there. The work is better too. So on a differnt note than what's above, I would encourage you to look at the job and the company closely. I like people that ask me a lot of questions because I know that they are really serious about finding the right place and not just a place to sit while they're looking for something more perfect.

And all THAT being said, when you come right down to it; it's a bit of a crap shoot from both sides of the desk, so try not to worry too much about the ones you don't get... and many many good wishes. Job hunting is a beast.

[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.

[cheshyre]

Given that some of the unaccounted time happened while you were so clinically depressed that you couldn't leave the house, crediting some of the time to illness might not be a bad idea either (as long as you make clear that you are undergoing treatment for it and it won't be a further problem)

Former hiring person here

[rmjwell.livejournal.com]

Check with the state of Massachussettes and find out what you are required (if anything) to disclose about illnesses and stick with that.

[rmjwell.livejournal.com]

Everyone's given you pretty much the advice I have to offer except a couple of points: not only be honest, practice being honest. By which I mean be comfortable at explaining your personal history succinctly. One of the tells I looked for in interviews was "how easily does the person tell their own story and answer basic exploratory questions?"

Also, aren't you a landlord? Doesn't that involve a certain amount of time and effort expended on your part? Be sure to cite that experience.

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

When I was hiring assemblers and other "nonprofessional" folks, (granted it was in a weird little corner of the Music Industry) the main things I was looking for were evidence of raw intelligence and what I call "sparkle", a.k.a. We Got A Live One. I even hired one person just because they had enough sparkle, even though they spoke very limited english and flat out refused to provide references. Never regretted that one for a moment, ever. A star performer from day one to right now, almost 10 years later.

However, when hiring for professional positions, it was much more complicated and demanding though, and a work history that spoke of dedication and not hopping around was one of the critical things. If you had to write an essay titled, Why I'll Be A Good Worker For Your Company, what would it say? What did you do in those gaps that would speak favorably of your abilities? And remember, the more nonstandard your work history, the more HR is your foe. Gotta work around them to the folks who generated the hiring requirements in the first place.