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ScottGem · Sep 4, 2014, 06:07 PM

After being out of work for 2 years, you get a part time job. Just before you hit 2 months, you get an offer for a full time higher rate position from a firm you interviewed with before starting the part time job. So you give notice to the part time firm. After a month the new job lets you go.

Do you list those last 2 positions or go back to your old resume? My advice is to go back. If you list the part time job, mostly to use them as a reference, it can backfire because they might mention you left for another job. And you really don't want to list the last job because they said the reason to let you go was lower productivity. So extending the time being out of work seems to be less negative.

chaosmaster1 · Sep 4, 2014, 06:40 PM

You can list them, they can not say anything other than that you worked there and that's it, if they say anything else they open themselves up to a lawsuit

odinn7 · Sep 4, 2014, 07:11 PM

That's not true. They are allowed to talk about job performance and why an employee no longer works there...as long as it is factual.

If it was me, I would just leave the newer ones off the resume and extend the time out of work. Having the 2 other jobs on there for such a short period of time may not look good. They may take a look at that and just decide not to go any further because of it.

ScottGem · Sep 5, 2014, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by chaosmaster1

You can list them, they can not say anything other than that you worked there and that's it, if they say anything else they open themselves up to a lawsuit

Where did you get that idea? There is no law prohibiting an employer from discussing any employees' information as long as it is factual. It is true that many employers have a policy against doing anything more than verifying employment to avoid potential lawsuits. But as long as what they say is factual, they can say what they want.

That's why I am recommending leaving them off. After a 2 year gap a few more months is meaningless, but showing 2 short term stints will make it more difficult. I just wanted to get some other opinions.

smoothy · Sep 5, 2014, 05:08 AM

Tough situation to be in... but I think you are right, after two years... 2 more months is insignificant as it wasn't a temp position which would explain a short stay.

I've actually filled in a gap using a relatives business where I did a few unofficial jobs for (I could always be a business partner if I wished)... that I KNOW they won't be calling to verify or anything else. Different continent, and 6 hour difference in time zones not to mention language barrier (my brother-in-law effectively speaks no english as I haven't heard him utter more than a word or two in english in the 26 years I've known him).

talaniman · Sep 5, 2014, 05:21 AM

Who puts failures on a resume? There are better ways to explain what you have been doing between jobs no matter how long. Like volunteering for a good cause and actually doing it.