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Posted

Hi everyone, 

 

Thank you for taking the time to stop in read.

 

 

   I am currently updating my resume and I have a huge gap in job history that I don't know how I could possibly answer to a potential employer. The gap is from late 2011 to currently. It's not that I haven't worked but, I've made many bad decisions over the last year in a half to either get fired from a workplace or to just not show up at work. The reason for that is I keep choosing places that for the most part are really bad work environments. One example is that I was a cook at a resort. While working there I would undergo constant verbal abuse from my manager. he would get in fits of rage and throw things across the kitchen.

 

   I'll try not to go too much into detail but,one time in particular I went on break without first getting his approval, which I should of in that regard. He walked by me eating and looked at me and then the food and proceeded to splash his near boiling tea water all over my food and a little onto myself. He then began yelling at how he wished he and the rest of the cook's could eat and after his rant he then sent me home.

 

   That was an extreme example of similar job experiences I've dealt with. So, I'm not sure what to do on my resume that would excuse this gap in my work history. Should I just go ahead and put it down anyways?

Posted

So the question is: bad job history vs. no job history. You could say something like, "I made the mistake of not being particular about taking employment. I compromised, and it backfired. I have learned that an employee chooses an employer as much as the employer chooses and employee, and I will not make the same compromises in the future." This shows that you can grow from mistakes and it also is somewhat flattering to the employer, should you take a position.

Posted

So the question is: bad job history vs. no job history. You could say something like, "I made the mistake of not being particular about taking employment. I compromised, and it backfired. I have learned that an employee chooses an employer as much as the employer chooses and employee, and I will not make the same compromises in the future." This shows that you can grow from mistakes and it also is somewhat flattering to the employer, should you take a position.

I agree. The best thing you can do is to really focus on what you learned. Even a terrible job can give you valuable lessons that make you a better employee for a future job.

Posted

Absolutely agree with the other two posters. As a manager, whenever potential employees have a gap in work history and no reasons behind it, I assume they did illegal or illicit activities. Though I don't believe in government (or I wouldn't be here ^^) I still don't want the typical drug dealer as my next employee.

Posted

I get what you are saying power, but running through the dealers that I know...they have all moved on to pretty good positions; at least the ones who did not get clipped too drastically by the hypocrisy of the law in their states at the time. I have a buddy who is still on probation in CO, for a crime that no longer exists in that state. One of the smartest people I know, and he did many years for selling what can now be legally purchased anywhere in CO. Bullshit. The dealers that I know were not bad people. They could see beyond the nonsense. My first lesson on money came from my friend who I referred to above, when he asked me, "do you know what money is?". He went on to explain the federal reserve and our monetary system. More than 99/100 people could do in 1993.

 

Wow did I get off topic.

Posted

   Wow, thank you guys so much for the great advice. It kinda helped to recharge my battery so to say and gave me more confidence in being able to solve this dilemma.

 

 

So, just to be clear, should I put a similar statement directly onto my resume? I'm afraid if I leave it blank they wouldn't be interested in a interview so, I wouldn't get the chance to explain. 

Posted

  should I put a similar statement directly onto my resume? I'm afraid if I leave it blank they wouldn't be interested in a interview so, I wouldn't get the chance to explain. 

   You're in a tough spot.  I really like Heath's response, but then in all practicality, I dont think it would work, honestly.  IMO.  The big issue being... well do you want to hire someone with a clean job record, or someone who has knowingly 'made mistakes' for two consecutive years?  In the interest of you finding a job, you might consider writing 'freelance work'.  Clearly not every resume is comprehensive, and as a list of marketable skills do you honestly feel these past jobs will help you?  If so, put em on there. Do you do any programming? Web building? Landscaping? As a cook, has anyone paid you for a meal outside of work? What skills have you developed outside the job field?  Jigallo?

 

 

  Depending on the field, always consider the number of applicants.  In my line of work, resumes are fed through a program that searches for certain strings, i.e., 'team work', 'on time in full', etc etc.  Soft skills (e.g., Excellent communicator capable of sharing a team vision, yada yada) are great for jobs with lots of applicants, but jobs with smaller applicant pools tend to shy from folks who bulk up their applications for fear of them needing a temporary job until they find 'the one'. 

 

I have a boat load of resume/CV experience - mainly for the biotech/chemical engineering world, I can lend a hand if you want someone to glance over your resume (personal info omitted) and make suggestions

Posted

Check your inbox, and get comfortable. :)  We run the resume workshops for engineering students here in town, I'm always happy to share with others one of the few things I'm good at in life.  Stay in touch, and PM as much as you need

Posted

I get what you are saying power, but running through the dealers that I know...they have all moved on to pretty good positions; at least the ones who did not get clipped too drastically by the hypocrisy of the law in their states at the time. I have a buddy who is still on probation in CO, for a crime that no longer exists in that state. One of the smartest people I know, and he did many years for selling what can now be legally purchased anywhere in CO. Bullshit. The dealers that I know were not bad people. They could see beyond the nonsense. My first lesson on money came from my friend who I referred to above, when he asked me, "do you know what money is?". He went on to explain the federal reserve and our monetary system. More than 99/100 people could do in 1993.Wow did I get off topic.

I absolutely agree with you about the fact that they are generally good people. The reason I tend to shy away from those seemingly delving into illegal adventures is because that shows a fundamental disregard of "rules" for monetary gain. I.e. "I wouldn't mind stealing your product if it means more money for me." Not to mention I've had a employee arrested during work hours for dealing. Costs a lot to train somebody to replace D:
Posted

Hey jester, haven't heard back from you yet. Did you get through those couple paragraphs I sent and see the template?  Let me know

 

 

 

Like I mentioned earlier too, if anyone is on the job hunt and wants an extra pair of eyes to scan their resume, I do this as part of my work with our company, and also run the industry partnership with the university to help students in STEM (science, tech, engineering, mathematics) build solid resumes

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