I'm trying to apply for a job. It is a professional job, that requires a graduate degree. The last time I had this type of a job that I can claim similar experience in was from 10 years ago -- except for one that I had for 4 months, and left 3 years ago. I gained tremendous experience from that 4 months and I learned so much! But I'm afraid of putting that job on the resume. It was a demanding, strenuous job and it wasn't the right time for me (I was going through a lot of transition in my personal life). The job I am applying for is very similar, but not as demanding/strenuous - but I'm afraid that leaving a similar job in 4 months may not sound good no matter how I put it. But at the same time, if they won't count it against me, it's a relatively recent experience that I can put on my resume.
Would you put it on your resume? Please let me know. Thank you!
Put it on. If they ask you about it, talk about what you gained from it that you can use in the job you're applying for.
If you feel you gained that much valuable experience from it, then I would. And personally I would want my resume to be accurate and include my entire work history as well as education, even if it had nothing to do with the job I was trying to get. If they ask you about it, you could always just say that at that time in your life, it was not a good fit, but you still learned a great deal in a short period of time and you were glad you had the opportunity.
I would put it on and if they ask, then tell them that you had an emergency/crisis in your life that you had to leave and take care of. But if you emphasis the amount of knowledge you gained in that short period of time, that might make an impression on them--in a positive way. GL
M
I am a former recruiter, so here is my take on it.
First of all, if the experience is highly relevant, you should include it. If the hiring manager doesn't see that you have recently done the same type of work and are capable of doing so, they will probably reject your resume before ever speaking to you. So yes, put it in there, and talk up the experience big time.
That said, they will definitely ask you why you left the position after such a short time, so be prepared to come up with a really good answer. I'll be 100% honest and tell you that if you told me the job was too demanding/strenuous and it wasn't the right time for you, I would feel very hesitant about bringing you in for the same position. Mainly because, while you think the new position is less demanding, it's hard for you to actually know that until you're in the job. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions about why you can do this job now, but couldn't do that job three years ago.
Another reason to include it - if you don't, they will wonder why you had such a long period of unemployment in the middle of your work history.
Good luck!
Ten years is usually the time people stop looking, however, in your case the experience is relevant to the current position. I would.
You can say it was a Temp Job - is that possible without lying? If you can't say that - then if they ask about why is was such a short time period - tell them what you told us...nothing further - the job wasn't right for me at the time.
GOOD LUCK!
I say to put it on there because of he skills you got there and explain what you did to us, it just wasn't the right time. Now is. They should be okay with that. If they aren't, do you really want to work for them?
If you leave it off, how much of a gap in your resume are we talking about? I personally would leave it off and try to show that you have the skills that you learned on that job in other ways on your resume. Have you ever volunteered somewhere that has required you to use the skills you learned at that job? Or have you used those skills in any of the subsequent jobs you have had? Retrospectively, can you say that you used those skills in past jobs?
A four-month gap is not at all significant in employment history, but I would think a four-month stint is more so. Besides, I am guessing that it's not a place that would necessarily give you a stellar reference.
They may ask what that 4 month gap was all about. Why not put it on, saying how it was similar to the position you are seeking now and even tho it was a short time, you learned very valuable experience and had to leave the job to pursue another position that was a better fit for you at that time.
Resumes today are much less about "Company A from x to y dates" than they are about a list of relevant accomplishments, achievements and current skill sets.
If your resume "looks" just like it did 10 years or more ago--you'll benefit by changing it to a more up to date format & stressing accomplishments and achievements rather than a laundry list of "work experience based on from/to dates and companies!
Put it on your resume. You have a good reason why you had to leave the position.
you can leave it off.. nowadays, that works.. you can simply say you took time off to be with your family and or traveled... In this day and age, employers know that people take time off to do other things. it's not like years ago when it was was taboo to have a gap in your resume..
Also, bear in mind, just as important IF not more. is the cover letter... or so I have read that often employers will read that first and if it entices them, they move on to the resume..
best of luck to you
You should absolutely include it. A resume is not full disclosure (i.e. if the job was only 4 months and totally unrelated to the type of work you are seeking. . . . . leave it off), but if this is where you gained the most relevant work experience you do not want to omit it. You can minimize the dates by using years only on the resume, not months. Years only is perfectly acceptable and actually improves the appearance and crispness of the resume. That will allow the hiring manager to focus on your skills enough to get you the interview--once you're in a face to face meeting you can explain why you left that job after such a short time if asked.
It is recommended if the job is strong in your field and will help them see that you have done this line of work before, and have more current work than the one 10 years ago. If you had a string of jobs that only lasted that long, and didn't include your field, then it wouldn't look good on your resume and is best left off. So, in your case, I believe it would be beneficial to include it.
Focus less on the time there, and more on the strengths and qualities you gleaned from it. When asked about the reason you left the job, or why such a short time, say that you have some life transitions that could not accommodate the work schedule, but that you were sure to accomplish specific tasks before you left (if you did that). Do not go into that it was too strenuous for you. Then assure the interviewer that you are confident in your ability and stable in your life and have no fears about such issues effecting any employment now.
My church offers career counseling for free and this is the information my husband was given when he went for resume/interview help when he was looking for work. They have tons of helpful advice here:
Career workshop:
https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/stakes---wards.jsf?name=th...
Tips to get you hired:
https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/stakes---wards.jsf?name=jo...
