Employment Spot

72 Responses for "How to Fix a Spotty Employment History"

• Jennifer January 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 am 1

  I excluded a previous job because my supervisor (the boss’s daughter) and I did not get along. There were many conflicts and I did not handle it as well as I would have liked. I am just getting out of school and just did not know how to handle situations like this one. It’s a family owned business and I was looking for another job anyway because there was nowhere for me to go in the position I was in. I was also being used. I was doing my job, someone else’s job that had quit, and pretty much taking care of part of my supervisor’s job (even though she would not agree… she left early and came in late so people came to me for things they would go to her about and I was already swamped to the point that I was not taking my breaks that I needed) She brought me into her Dad’s office (the boss) (before she even talked to me one on one) and he asked me what was going on and I told him that I am swamped and overwhelmed, and I mentioned how my supervisor was leaving and coming in late. Well that made my supervisor mad and she had it out for me. She said I was not a team player because I was “complaining” about all the work I had. When I applied for unemployment she bad mouthed me and said that I was given a verbal and written warning…which I was not. They denied my unemployment because of this. I never signed any kind of warning and was never given a verbal warning.

  I really should have handled the situation better, but I have learned from it. I am young and did not know better. I am still learning. I am very good at what I do. I can do a lot of work in a smaller amount of time than it would take others. I am a very hard worker also.

  I have submitted many resumes to places I would very much like to be employed at. As I said before, I omitted this employment when I sent the resumes. From what I have read online, you should never omit employment history even if the employer may bad mouth you. Which I found out that she will from the unemployment experience.

  What do I do?

  Thank you in advance!

• Libby's Mom January 4th, 2008 at 10:41 pm 2

  Resend the resumes with the correct information. If someone asks, say you noticed there was a printing error in the one’s you sent out. I’ve hired 100’s of employees and honesty is always the best policy. You don’t need to bad mouth the former employer. Just say the job was a bad fit. The position I originally was hired for evolved into something I was not comfortable doing. You didn’t clearly state that you quit or that you were fired, so I’ll end by saying just say it was in the best interest for you and the organization to part ways and that you learned how to handle these situations better and don’t believe you would find yourself in a similar situation.

• Timothy J. Prescott January 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm 3

  I’m having a great deal of problems with my resume. I spent 85.00 to get a copy of my past ten year employment history and a lot of my positions wern’t listed and in between jobs were? What do I do to correct this?

  Sincerely,

  Tim Prescott

• kelly January 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm 4

  My son was 16 yrs. old and got hooked up with the wrong crowd. Got himself into some bad trouble, did some time in jail and boot camp. He has a bad record. He is now 18 yrs. old and desperate to get a job. No one will give him a chance. He has learned his lesson and wants to work. What can he do/say on his applications to help prove his intentions?

• Martin H. February 29th, 2008 at 3:09 am 5

  Tim mentions spending $85 to get a copy of his employment history. I am curious as to who he went through for that. Everyone keeps a track record of employment themselves, but it would be interesting to see how that compares to what a hiring company might find/use for verification in that regard.

  Also, one tactic that is not often used by companies when things are working our well with an employee. In some cases at least, speak to the employee about their performance issues and if a meeting of the minds or their performance doesn’t improve, then ask the employee to begin looking for work elsewhere, rather than straight out dismissal.

  Also for what its worth, contrary to the popular statement, some companies really are the one’s at fault, and really do have detrimental issues contributing to employee turnover.

  With that said, its usually best to keep those thoughts to yourself however.

  I really liked Libbysmon’s comment, “Just say the job was a bad fit. The position I originally was hired for evolved into something I was not comfortable doing.”

• david March 20th, 2008 at 6:00 pm 6

  i’m a muscian and an actor but it does not always pay the bills … also i have 25 years of 2-3 month positions at various high tech and fortune 500 companies. i’m very proud of what i’ve learned in these different environments, but agencies and employers do not see it this way. how can approach this? many times i apply for current positions and the agencies will say that there is nothing available or that my skills are not strong. i feel my skills are very strong and i wish employers would atleast let me meet with them before they throw me away.

• Renee Irvin April 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm 7

  I would like to review what employers are viewing. In this age of identity theft, unscrupulous recruiters and employers how do you find out this information? You know they check but what information is made available. Also, there is the issue of confidentiality.

  I want to know my rights are protected.

• rodica April 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm 8

  I have been fired twice from 2 different companies, and the reason for that they put “misconduct”. For that I can’t get unemployment (it is denied). The first time I went thru the apeal process, bot the manager and the coordinator got fired or left, the officer that conducted the apeal told me that I should go to court. I did not go to court, the company still denied unemployment pay, I had another job and I wanted to move on. Now this second company did exactly the same thing. Fired me for “misconduct”. I called the department of labor and they told me to not say that I was fired. Quote”If honesty did not bring you anywhere so far, why being honest?”
  Well, I can not lie first of all, and second I was fired for anything but “Misconduct”. I am very professional, I am from Europe, and I lived long enough to know that a lie always comes through.
  What should I do?
  Afcourse, I can not get a job, and all that I get are letter that say that they could not extend employment for me at this time even though I have excellent credentials, or that they wish me good luck to find what I need and what I am talented for.

• Kavin Moore April 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm 9

  I F%&@$ Up my credit history employed when i was younger now i cant get a good job in orlando, propably have to move to another state or another country to start a living and making money but now to get a job only job agency give you the chance but they lie to you, bah they say $15.00 per hr and really they give you $6.50 per hr or $8.00 LIES AND LIES those ppl tell you, hate florida!!!

• Dianna April 20th, 2008 at 10:31 pm 10

  In the past, I have made many mistakes, and I am sure I will make more as life goes on.

  It has been 14 years ago since my felony conviction. Since then, I have went back to school, got my GED, Certificates in, Office Procedures, and achieved getting my Associates Degree in Applied Science.

  I do understand about employeers doing a background check before hiring. But, on the other hand, I feel they should look at what that person has done since then.

  Can not ever erase the past, only can move forward in life.

  I need your advice, want to hear what others think and have to say.

  Thanks for taking the time to read my story.

  Dianna

• Kathleen April 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm 11

  Just as Dianna I have a felony record. I wrote a bad check and it has destroyed my life. I was a teacher, have my BA and several hours toward my MA, but none of it matters.

  Is there any organization that helps people get started again, any business that hires non-violent felons?

  No employer cares about all I’ve accomplished, or could accomplish, they only see a felony conviction.

  Any ideas or suggestions?

• cece June 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm 12

  dianna, find out how to clear your record with the state. call your governor’s office. iin va it’s after 5 years after conviction, then youy have to wait for it to come before the governor. Keep copies of everything u send.

• cece June 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm 13

  rodica, kavin, kathleen, brush up on office skills, find a call center, work the least amount of hours u can and fill in with work at premium (higher-paying) hours to make money. build a work history of dependability and keep yr eyes peeled for work that u qualify for and can relocate 2. westat.com and west.com hire at home, too. legit.

• cappo July 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am 14

  Rodica, I too have lost 2 jobs that were not my fault and both times my employer fault unemployment. After going to court with the 1st and losing I filed an appeal and WON. They wanted me to pay back what I had already received which was substantial, anyway I won and did not have to pay back. Second time, I decided I wasn’t going to go through this alone and hired an attornery (hard to find, search), even though it cost me $1200 in the long run I won my benefits which could have been over $10,000. In both cases I was in the right but I needed someone to speak for me because it is really nerve racking going up a boss and his assistants all alone. Good Luck

• mo August 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm 15

  Sorry I have to disagree about the being honest about being fired advice given here. It’s probably one of the the worst things you can tell a potential employer before, during or after a job interview. It’s like telling a police officer “I’m sorry I was going 85 in a 35 but I’ll never do it again” and expecting them to believe you.

  You are MUCH better off saying you were laid off due to staff cutbacks or re-organization of the company. You can also say that the position was temporary and you were hired for a specific period of time and once that time was up, so was budget for your position.

  Those are two common reasons to be laid off or have a short term ending to a job. Saying fired is suicide and sure, eventually someone will hire you but most likely you’ll never get past the Taco Bell drive through window position if you aren’t smart enough to learn how to finesse your way through that situation.

• Beverly Whitaker August 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm 16

  I was injured on the job in 2003. I was on workmans comp till 2006. I settled the case because i could not return to work there because of heavy duty work,which i can no longer do. Since then disability denied me and I still am un able to work a full time job. My problem I am affraid to put my injury on any application for I believe they will not hire me. Also I can,t use that company for a reference. I cannot make enough money to live on my own. Help!

• Mackenzie Nelson August 13th, 2008 at 2:39 am 17

  I didn’t haven’t kept up with my employment history, and I’m wondering how I can retrace those steps to get exact dates and wages. Any help????

• TerryS19 August 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 am 18

  I worked for a HUGE supplier to the automotive industry supplier based in Michigan for 8 years at a mid-west location before I was forced to transfer to the Detroit area. If I didn’t transfer, my extreme hours (80 to 90, sometimes more, per week) were going to increase and I was going to be put on salary without overtime. This was going to be more than a 50% cut in pay, that would be before the increased workload. I transferred, I was in a no win situation anyway. After 2 years, I was terminated because they kept changing my job and responsibilities. I would get verbally abused in front of my co-workers and also get written up for tasks that I did not complete. Every one of those “incomplete tasks” were because my “job” changed again and I wasn’t informed of my new responsibilities until after getting screamed at and threatened to be terminated. It was a horrific experience. I tried to go back to my previous job within the same company several times, but they would not allow it. They terminated me and now will not acknowledge that I ever worked for them. I’ve had a couple of friends fake calls for employment references and they denied ever having anyone there with my name. I’ve worked only a few temporary positions in the last four years, which adds up to less than 1.5 years of full-time pay. I’ve used all of my savings which were over $100K. How do I get back to work in a real job that will pay my costs of living?

• marcia foxman August 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am 19

  for those that have criminal records, it may be the past 5 to 10 years that you have clean up, learn from your mistakes, but employers as well as anyone else can look at the public records and see that you have a criminal record, and that cant be erase as you would like it to be, it just wont say what it exactly is for, it will make it hard for you to get hired. Just hope someone will give you a break, but keep in mind if someone does and something goes bad it the business that you were hired in, you will be the first to go. good luck

• adam December 19th, 2008 at 7:58 am 20

  I also didn’t keep track of my employment history, and I’m wondering as well. If or how I can retrace those steps to get exact dates and wages. Help Please.

• Sunny December 20th, 2008 at 11:59 pm 21

  *Work History*
  You should be able to get some info on past history by contacting your State tax Dept? Or search online your state government website & find the Tax area.
  Basically, you want to request past copies of your W-2’s. As far back as they can give you. I don’t know how much info will be on there, probably just the Company name/address & your wages from them that year. But at least this is a legitimate way to get some work history info & maybe some of the dates of employment will come back to you.

  Once you get that info, if you can’t remember exact dates. try to remember the months. (ex: employed May 2003-August 2003) And if you can’t remember the months, maybe just put the years in. (ex: employed 2003-2003) and add a memo to your resume or include a note on your cover letter stating that you do not have the exact date, but are in process of retrieving that information and can be supplied at a later date if needed. At least then- you could maybe get an interview & explain further!

  I have gotten past W-2’s before, which made me think of the option. When I had gotten mine, I had totally forgotten about a 2nd part time job I had.

  Good Luck!- Hope this helps!

• Whiterushin February 4th, 2009 at 6:48 am 22

  TerryS19, I would recommend studying your states labor laws as it pertains to salaried positions.
  As a lot of states have it written where, even if salaried, you are to get overtime. But, there is a litmus test for this. Usually , its based on whether or not you have the ability to hire/fire, if not, that salaried position might be eligible for OT, just check with your state labor board.

• TLJ February 16th, 2009 at 9:22 pm 23

  Definitely LIE when it you’ve been fired !!! I know it’s dishonest but it’s a cold , cruel world.
  I am sure that no recruiter or interviewer will honestly admit to hiring a job candidate who’s been fired. They may BS the general public about wanting to give people a second chance, but it’s not true. The recruiter wants what’s best for his/her company ,and I don’t blame him/her. It’s all about self- interest and “shading the truth” to protect your own interests in the world of business.

• U5s1o0 February 17th, 2009 at 6:07 pm 24

  For Comment Below, Actually I did get hired to a good company and did tell them I was fired so really lying isn’t all that good and to even prove it, I was hired during this economy crisis so Yea there you have it.

• Susan February 18th, 2009 at 11:29 am 25

  TerriS19 -
  I think you should sue the SOBs. Seems to me that what they are doing is a kind of passive slander. Talk to your local Legal Aid Society about it. One letter from a lawyer to them might scare them into providing glowing revues for you.
  Really.
  Good Luck!

• CS February 20th, 2009 at 12:54 pm 26

  Jennifer, post #1

  What a horrible experience! I don’t think the effort and expense it would take to get justice would be worth it. The biggest problem is having no proof. It’s an another ugly example of what can happen to outsiders in a family business. I’ve been there 3 times. The first 2 ended ok, but the 3rd was borderline. The negatives outweigh the positives so I will never do this again. I feel you can never be one of them and there’s no room for growth. I visualize it as living in a closet instead of an apartment or house.

• Dharma 9119 February 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm 27

  Hello, I called my previous employers to retrace my work history and discovered a lot of discrepencies–interestingly to my advantage. One employer added 3 years to my work history! Can I put that in my resume?

• Anonymous February 26th, 2009 at 3:30 am 28

  I can see both sides of the discussion. While it’s always painted that telling the truth is the best policy, you are judged and labeled, often before a person gives you a chance to prove yourself, as post #23 said, it is a cruel world and self preservation often means fabricating the truth in these situations.

  Society shuns dishonesty, but when someone tells the truth of wrong doing, they get severely scorned and attacked. Just look at A-Rod and the steroid use, or any other situation. If a child steals candy from a story and then returns it, guaranteed he’d be punished for stealing more than he will be praised for doing the right thing and admitting to it. So, people wonder why we lie? There you have it.

  Every situation is different, but if it comes down to self preservation and the chances are they won’t find out, I’m going to lie.

• Lara March 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm 29

  In have a bad situation on my hands. I have been ill for the past 3-4 years and haven’t been able to work. I have a 3-4 year gap of unemployment. Not to mention the fact, I have tried working during these 3-4 years but my illness made it hard to continue. I am now better and able to work part time for now. However, those jobs I tried during that time never lasted due to my illness. One I even got fired from, which wasn’t my fault. There was huge misunderstanding about scheduling, and that’s how it happened. How am I supposed to explain all this to a potential employer? I am single and living alone. I need a job with decent pay so I can support myself, any place worth working for is going to check my background. It doesn’t seem fair or right that just because I’ve been through all this that I can’t have a decent paying job, rather, they’ll give the job to some idiot who has no idea what they’re doing just because their work history is better. You know the phrase: “Equal Opportunity Employer?” That’s a bunch of nonsense. If they were equal opportunity, they’d be willing to hire people in the situations in these posts. Just because you’ve had issues in your life does not, by any means indicate that you’ll be a bad employee. It’s similar to a credit check for employment. Why is your credit history any of the employers’ business? It’s just their way of weeding out the bad from the good. It provides no evidence to them that you’d be a bad employee. Yet, they won’t hire you because of bad credit. Well, without a job, how are you supposed improve your credit? Aside from this, a credit check tells doesn’t say anything to them about your qualifications or experience. Ultimately, it end up telling them nothing.

• Nameless March 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm 30

  I was a whistleblower. But since it’s usually illegal to fire a whistleblower, officially I was “laid off,” AND my position was actually eliminated as well (they went back to outsourcing the work). I was told to say I was laid off and that they would support my unemployment claim.

  This was with a non-profit organization whose mission I deeply support, so I was conflicted about whether to report what I was sure was an illegal firing (whistleblowing twice on one organization was unthinkable — who does that??). I decided to just move on and not fight it. Interestingly, the director who lowered the boom on me was asked to resign shortly thereafter. The place was a pit of drama and undergoing extensive management reorganization.

  When applying for jobs, I don’t lie but I don’t tell the full version of the down-and-dirty truth either. I just make sure to keep it honest but as general as possible: laid off, reorganization, etc.

  If possible, don’t lie because IF the new employer finds out later that you did lie, it might make it hard for her/him to ever trust you again. It’s ok to fudge a little (I think), and by that I mean to frame your situation in the best possible light and try to avoid the words “fired” or “misconduct,” things like that. Spin it as positively as you can and be confident in your ability to move beyond it.

• running out of time and money March 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm 31

  hubby was discharged from a small business, his work skills were not a good match for the employers needs.the cruel human is tell UE and human services he quit.UE denied him, will be appealed, human services doesn’t care how you ended up broke ,but they do care about the gross income of your final pay check.I filled the info in on the questionnair by mistake, called human services and told them, they said as long as the numbers are right,it ok to sent to employer for signing. well, MR CRUEL asked for a new form to sign and filled in the gross amount that was 4 times what was actually made and changed discharged to quit. didn’t get health care for feb that we were intitled too. that had been cleared up with a copy of the pay stub.so what do ya think this guy is going to do in a reference check??this is sickening!we have a home and a child soon this family will have nothing! it’s so bad out there in the job market.it’s hard enough, hubby has lost two jobs in a row and now how do ya deal with this demond.

• out of time out of money March 8th, 2009 at 4:17 pm 32

  were did my comment from yesterday go???needed advice on how my husdand can fill out job application and explain that he was discharged and didn’t quit. that’s what the former employer is claiming and he is doing other bad things so he is very likly to slam hubby if asked by a perspective employer. i called him Mr cruel but that is not the guys real name. is that why my comment disappeared??
  this family is hurting real bad and doesn’t need anymore problems.

• Karyn March 9th, 2009 at 10:32 am 33

  Put exactly that, let go because Husbands skills were not a good match for the employer. As to the amount employer is putting down, do you have any copy of paystubs to back up what he was actually paid. Have they sent you any tax info, you should have received by Jan 31. That would show what he actually made. And I’m curious what state your from, I might know of other ways to get help. Hope this helps, and Good luck.

• out of time out of money March 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pm 34

  hello, still don’t know what to put on job applications. one suggestion was to wait until UE hearing.unfortunatly that’s at the end of the month.yicks. found out today former employer and the gross amount he put on a form for human serves(4 times the gross amount) form askes date of final pay check(Feb) and GROSS AMOUNT FOR FINAL MONTH(jan).not pay check recieved in Feb. that amount for final month is correct.the person handling our case got that confused .recieved copy of that form today..what a mess! the person hanling our case got it straited out and we have our health care now and goes back to feb when we applied.well at least that boss isn’t as cruel as first thought.

• steph March 9th, 2009 at 6:18 pm 35

  I am having the same problem finding a good job because of past convictions. For now, I am waiting tables and that gets me by, but as I get older it’s harder on my legs and feet than ever before. As I browse through prospective jobs it seems so hopeful until I see “background check required”. I made some mistakes but I am a good worker.

• OC Jobs March 10th, 2009 at 5:32 pm 36

  I see a number of questions about work history. If you save your Taxes from previous years sometimes W-2’s can be used to reconstruct a resume.

  I think I’ve mentioned this before about situations of gaps & employment problems, simply give an employer the facts. If you have been cleared to work part time, be able to explain what part time means to you and your doctor. An honest and upfront discussion about your skills abilities and availability to work will go a long way with a good employer. It does not mean getting into the personal details about the specifics of your illness etc. That kind of detail can be horribly distracting to an employer, even a reasonable one. What employers want is to know you can do the job and that you will show up and do a good job. If they can not be reasonable, they are probably not someone you want to work for long term.

• Clarence Jenkins III March 10th, 2009 at 7:10 pm 37

  Yeah, Rodika, what a crazy convergence of circumstances. You were fired…twice…for “misconduct”. But, you’re European! So, as you put it, it’s pretty much contradictory. Your first move is to file for unemployment compensation?? Why not keep seeking employment? Is that the new American Dream? Give the job market a small effort. And if that fails, hell, some dumb bastard will give me a check every two weeks. Do you think Americans are dumb, Rodika?

• Recruiting Essentials March 12th, 2009 at 12:38 am 38

  From an employers perspective, they have a lot to do and don’t want someone to carry baggage into the workplace. To the extent that you have things cleared up and can honestly paint that picture to an employer, the better your chance to get the job. If you had an illness, get a note from your doctor clearing you to work. If you have large gaps in employment, tell the truth, lay your cards on the table and let them fall where they may. If you find an employer willing to take a risk on you, do everything in your power to make it work. It is your chance for a new start.

• mk March 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am 39

  My question is how would a future employer now that you have lied about your employment history, for example you use someone else as your supervisor.
  How could they find out?

• Kirsten March 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm 40

  Hi MK -

  Honesty is the best policy, first of all. Secondly, many companies do thorough background checks and are required to get verbal references from each employer and they will ask that question.

  If you have a supervisor that you feel wouldn’t give you a good reference, you can list the number for HR for your past company and HR would verify employement.

  You would also list 3 strong references that an employer *could* call; a department head from another department, past supervisors that you worked with, someone you’ve worked with that now has been promoted to a management level, etc.

  This is an easily explainable situation and lying will only bring you trouble later down the road.

  Good luck!

• mk March 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am 41

  Thanks Kirsten, I have 3 project mangers, plus admin assistant and a client that will give me good references. On prior interviews I have told them the truth about why I was let go ( the supervisor i had just didn’t like my work or me but my prior 4 supervisors did not and I had stellar reviews, go figure. Plus she worked from home. Anyway thanks for your advise!

• Leah April 5th, 2009 at 4:06 am 42

  Wishing you all well, lying is never really good, but depending on where you are applying, state by state differs. References to previous employers depending on how it’s handled, there are forms asking about job performance and are you eligible for rehire gets one into a mess if not handled properly. The best advice is simply a mismatch, and ask the interviewing company to give alternate references from where you worked best. I was actually hoping for expert advice on this site.

• norgechef April 6th, 2009 at 3:12 pm 43

  Best Wishes to all of you who are are, like me, trying to find work these days. I have gaps in my record, misconduct firings, and have recently recovered from a long time drug addiction. I am, in other words, probably the most unhirable bastard in line for a job; at least you ex-cons have SOMEONE saying you’ve done your time. Now that I’m cleaning up the copious mess created in my irresponsible twenties, I realize I have diverse and rare skills, a work-hard ethic, and maybe too much passion for my industry. I am here to tell you all… it’s a crapshoot. No one will touch me because I appear either too expensive or too interested (don’t ask), and unless you can play the politics, it’s friggin curtains. Start with this: PLAY THE POLITICS, and don’t worry about anything else. Your life MUST be manually attended to by YOU, and if people won’t hire you, then look in the mirror, breathe deep, and just try again; ego is not a substitute for resources.

• dag April 6th, 2009 at 8:41 pm 44

  i’ve worked a lot as a temp and contract positions. inbetween i’ve tried to start businesses and there have been times when I took a break to try other careers … but now temp agencies won’t even send me out on an interview and i can’t find a job. i’ve been in some very cut throat environments, but i’ve always been honest and worked hard. what can i do to get my career on track? is there some type of black list out there or something? do i need to sue to get a job???

• ksshoemaker April 21st, 2009 at 9:39 am 45

  I have been unemployed since July 2008 when I completed a temporary 6 mo/1,000 hrs job. I have been looking everywhere for a job and haven’t had any luck. Out of 80+ applications filed with potential employers in the local area (including up to 30-35 mi. radius), I have interviewed for approximately 5 jobs, dressed to impress for each one of them and then been denied the position. I have a good personality and I’m easy to get along with so I don’t understand how I can be denied a position working with the public with those kind of traits, but I am. Does anyone have any advice for me to help me overcome my problems?

• Victoria April 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 am 46

  Lots of factors contribute to this, one being that there are not enough jobs.

• Deborah April 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm 47

  Well, I feel like I’ve really done myself in now and don’t know how to get out of this mess. I went through a lot as a teenager and because of the trauma, the majority of my 20’s were spent job-hopping because I could take critisism or being scolded. Even after getting married to my husband, I still hopped around…. I had finally “found my fit” and I was at that job for about 2 yrs or so when my mother-in-law was killed and we had to move to assist w/ the family. Anyway, when we came back to our city, I went through a few part time jobs and all, just trying to find my fit again… I recently applied to a Financial Institution and was hired upon completion of my background/employment check. The recruiter asked me about my past employment and if the “3″ jobs listed on my resumer were all that I’ve had (especially in the last 5 yrs) and I stated yes. There were more, but I knew if I told her, she would not understand my reasoning and I would lose the opportunity from the start. So, I get a call today saying the employment part of my background check was the only thing that came back unsatisfactory and was asking if I was sure these were the only employers I’ve had. I blamed it on my credit report from when I had to put a fraud alert on it, blah blah blah and she said she was going to escelate it to see if her mgr could approve it. They apparently use your social security # somehow and can go back and check every job you’ve ever had. Honestly I don’t really see how that’s legal?!?! I mean, who of us are perfect? Who’s not made mistakes? Who has had a completely clean, stable, without error or gap work history? (Not many I’m sure) I’m just asking for a chance to prove myself, that I’ve grown, matured and ready to finally buckle-down and be somewhere long-term. Unfortunately it looks like I’m not going to get that chance. Also, recently….another job I had interviewed for, they turned me down based upon my credit report… Well, lets see….I could pay my bills a lot better if I had a job! *sigh* I’m so sick of this…. I guess I’m going to have to resort working in retail or a restaurant (if they will even give me a chance since I really have no experience in that area…well, restaurant that is…)
  So, what do you do in my case? When you’ve made terrible decisions and errors in your past? Who wants to fill up an application or resume with a bunch of meaningless part time and temporary jobs??? And, is it really legal for a company to use your social security # to check all of the jobs you’ve ever held, even when that information has not been disclosed to them????

  Btw, anyone familiar with Bank of America’s hiring procedures and background checks….that’s where I’m trying to get on (and looks like I’m not going to be able to after all…)

• lisa May 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am 48

  I had several career-level positions in a row where I experienced very difficult interpersonal circumstances. In the first, I discovered my employer (a lawyer) was violating several laws in the way she ran her practice, and along with several others, resigned when she refused to fix those problems, so she will not give me a decent reference out of spite. I then went to an organization that went out of business, and laid me off as part of restructuring. I left on good terms, and then got appendicitis and found out they had diverted my Cobra payments to unrelated business expenses and left me uninsured. I had to fight them to get my Cobra payments back, and it was not pleasant so they will not give me a good reference. I then went to a major non-profit where I did well and was promoted, but the first people I worked for there are no longer with the orgnization – the division closed. The new division I joined was a nightmarish fit for me – they were aweful to me, and I hated the job so while I was competent, I was not great at it. With that, I moved back to my home town where I’ve tried to find suitable work for two years, and have filled in with contract and temp work. I’ve returned to school to add paralegal certification to my resume, and am trying to find a paralegal job. How on earth to I explain that I can’t give a single decent reference from a former employer?

• cantbangel May 18th, 2009 at 12:27 pm 49

  I know how that is. It is almost impossible to have ethics and retain a job, much less get a good reference. I am a nurse, and let me tell you no employer thanks you for making sure the rules get followed, whether it is correcting a clerical mistake, or preventing potential harm. I’m sure the patient’s families and your former clients do, but they will never know.
  I left one job due to racial prejudice, how do I go into a job interview and tell the HR, who is the same race as my former supervisor, that? That is a can of worms I’d never open.
  My best references left these jobs as soon as they could, I try to stay in touch with them and then list them as my supervisor and my reference. I’ll let you know if it works.
  One HR asked me why I had not worked somewhere longer than 2 years. I guess it is because company loyalty is unrewarded, the companies I have worked for felt no loyalty to anything but profits.

• Catharsis May 20th, 2009 at 10:50 am 50

  I notice a lot of people on here are urging people who have been fired to be honest. Although it is wise to be honest, it is even wiser to leave that information out or don’t put that down on your application. Your application is their first impression and the minute they see FIRED, trust that your application is trashed. Some companies like Coke do hire person’s with criminal histories but you have to be forthright about it. Other than that I am not too familiar with too many companies HR people who are willing to be understanding in such honesty.
  Sure you were fired and maybe it was due to mismatch in the job, maybe there was no connection between you and the supervisor, or perhaps there was a misunderstanding that got you fired. WHO CARES. The minute they see fired many HR people don’t care the reason, they see TROUBLE and would rather not deal with it.

  Now should people be penalized forever for bad choices or situations not of their choosing or control. NO. HOWEVER, this is not always the case. Many of you have put in apps. with your work history and firings and you see how hard it is to get a job already. I applied at Baby’s R US with 1 firing. I TRIED TO BE HONEST AND CHECKED THE BOX WHERE IT ASKS, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FIRED-YES OR NO. I was reluctant to put yes because it was already an indication a firing would not get you the job. The reason I say this is because yes or no with no explanation is not a good sign. BUT I WAS BEING HONEST.

  So the moral of the story is you have to choose the best path. You have to work and if being honest about being fired is not getting you anywhere then you may have to ‘think outside the box’.

• Julie July 8th, 2009 at 5:39 pm 51

  I am a stay at home mom but would like to’start’ working since my kids are no longer babies (theyre 1 and 3yrs old). I have a question about going to work. My last job was over 8 years ago and I am planning on going to work now, how do i explain this huge gap and what kind of resume should i write? The gap’s reason is that i got married /relocated and during that time i did online courses and have children but it is an 8 year gap

• andrea July 12th, 2009 at 6:02 am 52

  I had the same question I have been stay at home mom mostly for 18 years because sons special needs and disability.I recently met with employment place and in a resume even what you do with your children is concidered exsperience,caregiveing,money managment ,children ect….I dont know how one may see this but the employment counceler said it makes a big impact even if you havnt worked outside the home.

• Beauty July 28th, 2009 at 11:55 am 53

  To Deborah,

  No company has the right to ask for your SS# unless you have been offered the position. It is illegal to use it for anything other than employment services (paycheck/taxes.) I will not apply to a company that ask for my SS#. This seems to be more prevalent these day..and what’s even worse is that some companies don’t list who they are; they just want you to send them your resume and other personal information without you getting to know who they are….Look at the online job search sections. There needs to be tighter laws that say prospective employers must identify who they are, where the job is located, an street address and phone number. When I am searching for a job, I hate to see all that wasted space online. From what I understand from a friend that works in a bank right now, they are not really looking for new employees as much as they want to see what kind of people are out there looking for jobs….in otherwords, they have no intentions of hiring anyone new. My suggestion to everyone – save your resume and interview time for companies that legitimate and give you all the information about them that you ask for.

• Sharon August 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am 54

  Can anyone help me with this one? Over 30 years ago I dropped out of high school. My situation at home was abusive and my concentration level was nil. I went on to own a business and later a Supervisory role in a large corporation. Because of the economy I am now left without a job. I was offered a positon and when it came to the line of education I entered that I had completed high school. This is something that I have been so embarrased of that I never even told my children.
  I did several years ago get my GED. I NEVER even gave this a second thought…

  Is there anything I can say to this employer to rectify this lie? I am devastated by this current event. If anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it!
  ps
  The State I got my GED in is not the state that
  I quit school in so they do not know at this point that I have a GED

• Lissa September 1st, 2009 at 12:53 pm 55

  Sharon,
  Start telling the truth and have paper work to back it up. A GED just means you didn’t give up.
  Once you lie to someone they normally will not give you a second chance. Apply for more jobs and tell the truth. You have a GED and provide proof. Good Luck.

• Lissa September 1st, 2009 at 12:56 pm 56

  Never deny you were fired. Then put Irreconcilable differences and will explain in person. Once you lie and they find out you will not get the job.

• Lissa September 1st, 2009 at 12:58 pm 57

  Andrea,
  Spelling means everything so make sure you spell everything correctly on your applications.
  Counselor.

• Lissa September 1st, 2009 at 1:09 pm 58

  Julie,
  It doesn’t matter. Be honest when filling out your applications. Always get with whomever you know before filling out applications and make sure they will verify you’ve done work for them even if it is house sitting while they were away on vacation.
  Example:

  From 1-1999 To 3-2001
  Stay at home mom.

  From 5-2001 To 10-2004
  Self employed: Child Care and Housekeeping

  References: Leave those you babysat for or cleaned house for,watched their house while away,their animals,whatever it is.

  Youwho Beckett
  phone number: 123-456-7890
  address: 123 Underway Crossing…….

  Reason for Leaving:
  Need more hours,need better paying job,need steady job,need insurance,need to work outside of home,… whatever the reason.

  If you have babysat,cleaned a friends home,drove children to and from school,was a pet sitter,took care of 60 year old grandma with a broken hip,… anything you have done while relocating,getting married,and having children to stay home with apply it to your application. Any courses you took,regardless if it is CPR,Child Care Provider certificate,… whatever it is apply it to your application. Good Luck.

• Lissa September 1st, 2009 at 1:12 pm 59

  Walking in somewhere and talking with the Manager is my best way of getting a job. Never ask anyone who is not the Manager. Those people are likely to feel you want their job and often lie, and claim they are not hiring.
  Ask questions like Are you hiring or taking Applications?
  What positions are open?
  What hours are needed?
  What do you start out in pay?

• danny September 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 am 60

  i was in the same place as you were, in 1980 i droped out of school at 18 years old ,just had to finish my senior year. it was 2 weeks before my 18th birthday and school started back weeks after my birthday, i had a fuul time job at kroger a grocery store, i stayed there 23 years just because i did not have my ged or deplomia,anyway i quit kroger and started working for walmarts. this past oct i went to take my ged and failed one part,ad had to retake my reading test of all things. I had to wait till Feb of this year to take it,and i passed with flying colors. I went on and did the walk with other people some old as i was,ad some a whole lot younger. I sat there before they called my name thinking now what?? i was told by my ged teacher that going back and taking my ged and passing it after 30 years and passing it , was something to be proud of. I am still at walmart but after taking my ged i am now goig into thier management progam,and who knows where I will go from here. But I am tierd of retail,and I applied for a pell grant to go back to school . if your new job does not pan out,check into a pell grant, walmart even paid for my ged testing and also helped me to go back to school. you need to be proud of taking the ged. go to what ever state you took the ged and ask the school board to send to a copy of it and the scores. belive in yourself and be proud…

• COWGIRL September 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm 61

  Go get your GED. I can’t even understand most of what you wrote. People should know how to spell before they post anything.

• John Chagerben September 17th, 2009 at 8:55 am 62

  Happy to find this discussion….I too have many gaps over the years, a variety of circumstancces, not the least of which is erratic responsibility, i.e., lack of interest or commitment; some of the time has been starting a business, caring for elderly family member, depression and grief issues etc., a real slew of reasons, and I dread applying since even though I have a decent education and not a felon, it is hard to be positive, esp in this tight market. As one asked before, I would REALLY like to see what the background checkers do and how they do it when they research my history! It would be vital to being prepared to field Qs….

• Dave October 16th, 2009 at 7:36 am 63

  If you are looking up your work history, two avenues that haven’t been mentioned are: the unemployment office and the social security office. Just go in and request a printout of your work history.
  As for having past convictions, you can have your criminal conviction removed from the record. This does require a lawyer, and it cost a friend of mine about $1200.

• rachel thomas October 26th, 2009 at 7:39 am 64

  i have a problem. i have never worked, im 23 and i have been out of school for 7 years now. what do i put on application forms for the PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT bit??? any help appreciated.

• bob October 30th, 2009 at 2:30 am 65

  Hey everyone,

  If you can’t find out your own job history, if you have to spend the time and money calling tax offices and collecting W2s to figure out when you worked where, what makes you think an employer is able to find out this information?

  Criminal background checks are one thing. If you’re an ex-con, you can’t really get away with lying on your resume about that, but if you have a spotty job history, LIE. LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH. LIE LIKE CRAZY. Even if they catch you, all they can do is not offer the position. If you tell the truth, you aren’t getting the job anyway, so you have absolutely nothing to lose.

  And as far as credit goes, lots of people have bad credit right now. The economy is falling apart.

  It sucks to lie, but it sucks a lot more to be unemployed and homeless. If you can find a friend who’s in a position to help you fabricate a job history (let’s say he’s the manager of a restaurant), great. If not, then you ran your own business teaching salsa lessons or something. Just make shit up. Survive.

  – Former HR guy who’s seen his share of BS resumes.

• Julie Beth Kirtley November 1st, 2009 at 6:00 am 66

  @rachel thomas, who on October 26th, 2009 at 7:39 am, posted:

  “i have a problem. i have never worked, im 23 and i have been out of school for 7 years now. what do i put on application forms for the PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT bit??? any help appreciated.”

  Response:

  If you live in Chicago, IL, look in the phone book for an organization named ‘Jewish Vocational Services.’ JVS is a non-denominational organization that assists those who have spotty work histories. Also, JVS offers training in work skills. I trained there to learn secretarial skills in 1993. At that time, they also offered nurse’s assistant training. I was even provided a travel stipend to take pubic buses daily on my round trips daily during the work week from home to JVS. Look them up, and give them a try.

• Mark November 1st, 2009 at 11:46 pm 67

  Bob,

  On 10-21-09 I became a class (i) Felon in the state of Wisconsin, due to child support arrears, (less than $30,000. mind you.) Also, since 2004 I have spent 12 months, on and off, incarcerated in a county jail, again, all due to the child support. I’m know you’re aware employers can access C.C.A.P. (Circuit Court of Appeals Portraits)I believe. My last child support stay I was just released from on 9-14-09, after 3-months. Prior to that I was homeless for 444 days in a mens shelter after a child support jail release of a 6 month June of 2007. However, I found work in a Coffee Shop just two blocks from the shelter I was housed at. Unfortunately, I was paid cash, worked my way up to being his asst. mgr. from just coming in and moping his floors a couple time a week for cash/food. I became a 30-35 hour a week ghost to the government of course because he never offered any information for at least filing a 1099 form. In fact, he told me not to tell anyone I worked there for money but just for food. This went on for 17 months, including one month after I got out of jail. He then had to let me go because he said he was probably closing the business and needed to cut overhead. Sorry for being long-winded but how do you tell employers this story? Any suggestions from that over-worked H.R. mind of yours would be helpful.

  Please know that I was in the Telecom industry from 1980-2001 as a B to B salesperson, sales manager, state support director of support and also have good retail and retail management in the wireless industry. In addition I won several awards for sales and letters of recommendation as a sales and support manager from at least three regional/national recognized telecommunication companies.

  This is tough for me. I have a stayed prison sentenced and I’m on probation for the next 4 years. If I can’t find employment soon that stay can be revoked by my Probation Officer and I will be sent to state prison for 5 years. Not really feeling warm an fuzzy about that… go figure!

  Sincerely,
  Mark (from Milwaukee, WI)

  P.S. I have already paid child support in the amount of $216,852.87, before all 3 of my kids became majority age in this state. I used to have great paying jobs. It’s the gaps (which were somewhat explained above) that are killing my job opportunities. HELP!!!!!!!!

• GAW4968 November 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 pm 68

  Cowgirl, I could read and understand everything he wrote just fine. Maybe you lack reading comprehension?

• Zupie November 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm 69

  Sorry people but they do background checks now with yor #SS number and will show if you paid taxes on that made up job. I learned the hard way. I had a company that does the background checks ask me to come up with my W-2’s to prove employment. You can’t hide anything.

• Good girl with a bad work history! :-/ November 6th, 2009 at 11:36 am 70

  I have a VERY spotty work history with approximately 15 jobs in three years. I always get bored or feel taken advantage of and end up leaving within three months. I have a high school education but I’m enrolled in college for the next semester. I have always made straight “A’s” in school and know that I am intelligent enough to get a good job. I know that it’s my work ethic that’s not up to standard, but I want to change my ways and for the right company I could eventually be an asset! I just don’t know how to make them give me a chance. Any advice? What should I say on my resume? So far, I have only put four jobs I’ve had on there and I’ve drastically increased the length of employment on one of them. I am actively seeking a job and have put my resume out to several companies. How do I fix this?

• NL9075 November 15th, 2009 at 12:28 pm 71

  15 jobs in 3 years?? How did you get job #10 – #15???

  I have had three jobs in five years and most recently got fired from my last job after six months for political reasons, my boss wanted to promote someone already there to my position and had her report even the slightest errors on my work so they could use that to get rid of me.
  I stayed late, came in early while others spent their day on EBAY & social networking websites.
  Now I have to explain leaving a job after six months, the company I worked for previously let me go after just two years but that was because the company closed. I don’t have references from that organization so I am even more SOL

• camposha November 17th, 2009 at 10:24 am 72

  I recently got fired from my last job. I was only there for 5 months.
  I would love to be able to leave this off of my resume. Since I was only there for a short time, how long till this shows up on my work history?
  The rest of my history is great, just this one spot.
  Help!