Starting a new job can be exciting, but sometimes, it doesn’t work out as planned. If you are in this situation, you might wonder whether to include this short-term position on your resume. In general, yes, you should.
Why Transparency Matters
Choosing to omit a past job from your resume can lead to complications. While one bad employment decision can be explained, but omitting it from your resume can be seen as an attempt to hide something, especially if a background check uncovers the missing experience. Employers might then assume a breach of trust, which could damage your credibility. Additionally, if someone within the hiring company knows about your brief stint elsewhere and notices it wasn’t disclosed, it could raise further suspicions.
Ethical Considerations
It’s important to consider whether employers are entitled to know about every job you’ve held. The key here is relevance and honesty. If you had a short-term contract, it’s advisable to label it as such on your resume. Being truthful and accurate with dates is crucial, although there’s no need to highlight every minor job detail. Industry standards often suggest excluding experience that is more than fifteen years old, so focusing on the most relevant and recent positions is generally acceptable.
Risks of Omission
If you omit a job and it surfaces during a background check, particularly during the onboarding process, it could be grounds for a claim of falsifying your application. This is a legitimate reason for an employer to rescind a job offer. Thus, the best approach is to be transparent and honest. Most professionals will experience layoffs, terminations, or jobs that simply didn’t work out at some point in their careers. These experiences are normal and can often be explained.
What Employers Look For
Employers are interested in your career progression, including where you’ve worked, when, and what roles you held. Even past employment in a different industry can be of interest, as it shows your career trajectory and the skills you’ve acquired. While you can decide what to include on your resume, omitting some details can raise red flags. Remember, entering a job application process is akin to entering a business relationship, where trust and transparency are key.
Application Truthfulness
Most hiring companies require candidates to attest that all information on their resume and application is true and accurate. Although your resume is a personal document, and you have the right to include whatever you choose (legally), completing an application form with accurate details is essential. If an employer finds that something was falsified on the application, it can provide grounds for termination.
While leaving out a brief, unsuccessful job stint may be tempting, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Honesty and transparency are the best policies, ensuring that your resume accurately reflects your career journey without compromising your integrity. Embrace your career’s ups and downs and present a truthful, comprehensive picture to potential employers.