Just lost job during probation period. How do you explain on resume? What do I do next??

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the help. PP that person could be me. Although I really need to us my previous work experience (the one I just got let go from) on in my portfolio.

What if I listed it as contract work and said they were looking for someone with more management experience? I don't know...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lying on a resume is a red flag

Leaving something off of a resume isn't lying. Saying she designed the menus for a WH state dinner when she didn't is lying on a resume. Learn the difference

[Anonymous]

It is not dishonest to leave a job off your resume. The PPs claiming so are confusing an employment history for a resume. Those are two different things, especially when the employment history is submitted for the purposes of acquiring a security clearance.

A resume is typically one page and is a summary (not a play by play) of your most relevant experience. It aught to be tailored to each job you apply for, ie - not every company is going to get every single detail available, because that document would be too long. This 2 month temp job that didn't work out for OP is not relevant, because the truth is that she's still just trying to get back into her field after being out for two years. Her first attempt didn't pan out. No need to let people know that when she's trying for her second go at it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the help. PP that person could be me. Although I really need to us my previous work experience (the one I just got let go from) on in my portfolio.

What if I listed it as contract work and said they were looking for someone with more management experience? I don't know...

I'm not in your field, but if this is like architecture in which you have a resume, but you also have a portfolio of samples you send over, then I'd say keep the most recent job off your 1-2 page resume, but mention in your cover letter that you're doing temporary work while looking for the right fit for your next perm position (and sign up with an actual temp firm so this is true). Then when submitting something you worked on at this last job, if you need to cite where it came from, say it was with one of your temporary assignments.

Again, this really takes me back to my earlier recommendation. You should do some temp work so that you can honestly say these things and diversify what you're submitting. If you only submit work from a place that let you go, that's not good. Even if you don't list them as a reference, some one will likely call them anyway.

[Anonymous]

I'm not in your field, but if this is like architecture in which you have a resume, but you also have a portfolio of samples you send over, then I'd say keep the most recent job off your 1-2 page resume, but mention in your cover letter that you're doing temporary work while looking for the right fit for your next perm position (and sign up with an actual temp firm so this is true). Then when submitting something you worked on at this last job, if you need to cite where it came from, say it was with one of your temporary assignments.

Again, this really takes me back to my earlier recommendation. You should do some temp work so that you can honestly say these things and diversify what you're submitting. If you only submit work from a place that let you go, that's not good. Even if you don't list them as a reference, some one will likely call them anyway.

OP here. Thank you so much for posting this!! I think that's exactly what I'm going to do!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not dishonest to leave a job off your resume. The PPs claiming so are confusing an employment history for a resume. Those are two different things, especially when the employment history is submitted for the purposes of acquiring a security clearance.

A resume is typically one page and is a summary (not a play by play) of your most relevant experience. It aught to be tailored to each job you apply for, ie - not every company is going to get every single detail available, because that document would be too long. This 2 month temp job that didn't work out for OP is not relevant, because the truth is that she's still just trying to get back into her field after being out for two years. Her first attempt didn't pan out. No need to let people know that when she's trying for her second go at it.

WRONG, you list all jobs, it's not a summary. Gaps usually means your hiding something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lying on a resume is a red flag

I've never heard from anyone besides you, that leaving something off a resume is considered lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous



OP here. If I stick with the design field, I wanted to use a few design pieces from working there. If I did that I would have to say why I was only there for a little under 3 months. I'm not sure what response to give.

If you use the work, the new employer may know the people/place you worked and give them a call. Design field can be a small and everyone known each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous



OP here. If I stick with the design field, I wanted to use a few design pieces from working there. If I did that I would have to say why I was only there for a little under 3 months. I'm not sure what response to give.

If you use the work, the new employer may know the people/place you worked and give them a call. Design field can be a small and everyone known each other.

No, everyone does not know each other in design.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not dishonest to leave a job off your resume. The PPs claiming so are confusing an employment history for a resume. Those are two different things, especially when the employment history is submitted for the purposes of acquiring a security clearance.

A resume is typically one page and is a summary (not a play by play) of your most relevant experience. It aught to be tailored to each job you apply for, ie - not every company is going to get every single detail available, because that document would be too long. This 2 month temp job that didn't work out for OP is not relevant, because the truth is that she's still just trying to get back into her field after being out for two years. Her first attempt didn't pan out. No need to let people know that when she's trying for her second go at it.

WRONG, you list all jobs, it's not a summary. Gaps usually means your hiding something.

You are a weirdo. You really only include jobs that are relevant to your career experience and the job you're applying for. Are you one of those people with a 5 page resume because you've still got Baskin Robbins counter girl from 1992 on there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous



OP here. If I stick with the design field, I wanted to use a few design pieces from working there. If I did that I would have to say why I was only there for a little under 3 months. I'm not sure what response to give.

If you use the work, the new employer may know the people/place you worked and give them a call. Design field can be a small and everyone known each other.


No, everyone does not know each other in design.

Actually a lot do. Maybe you don't know anyone. I remember interviewing with 7 firms in the DMV, all the principals knew each other- two were married. They all talked to each other, knew the firms, work environments, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't mean to keep dragging this out. I think I need to put the last place on my resume, because I need the work to be added to my portfolio, I also learned an entire set of skill sets there. I just don't know what to say as to why I was let go.

The truth is I was just not fast enough. Do I say that?? Most places list that they are a fast pace environment. I think I can work faster now. I was out of work for 2 years and it did take me a little while to remember the programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't mean to keep dragging this out. I think I need to put the last place on my resume, because I need the work to be added to my portfolio, I also learned an entire set of skill sets there. I just don't know what to say as to why I was let go.

The truth is I was just not fast enough. Do I say that?? Most places list that they are a fast pace environment. I think I can work faster now. I was out of work for 2 years and it did take me a little while to remember the programs.

No no no.

Why can't you accept the advice that you just say it wasn't the proper fit?

Why keep beating a dead horse?

Meh, maybe you don't deserve a job.

[Anonymous]

What? Do you advertise that you are a slow worker? Of course not. Is that a serious question?

OP you have a big lessons learned here... When having a child and planning on returning to work one day, make sure you keep your skills in check. Even with a child how were you not opening photoshop or something at least once or twice a year for holidays or birthdays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not dishonest to leave a job off your resume. The PPs claiming so are confusing an employment history for a resume. Those are two different things, especially when the employment history is submitted for the purposes of acquiring a security clearance.

A resume is typically one page and is a summary (not a play by play) of your most relevant experience. It aught to be tailored to each job you apply for, ie - not every company is going to get every single detail available, because that document would be too long. This 2 month temp job that didn't work out for OP is not relevant, because the truth is that she's still just trying to get back into her field after being out for two years. Her first attempt didn't pan out. No need to let people know that when she's trying for her second go at it.

WRONG, you list all jobs, it's not a summary. Gaps usually means your hiding something.

You are a weirdo. You really only include jobs that are relevant to your career experience and the job you're applying for. Are you one of those people with a 5 page resume because you've still got Baskin Robbins counter girl from 1992 on there?

+1 There's a reason why the headings on your resume are "relevant experience," "education," and "certifications" or "languages" etc - not "comprehensive list of all jobs ever." If you do that, then you're wasting a lot of precious space on your resume talking about experience that doesn't matter to the job at hand. One page is a very limited amount of space to try to capture why you're experienced & have the right skills - every inch on that should be used wisely. I've been on the other end of when you get a hundred expressions of interest for one job. Each resume gets a quick glance over before deciding which pile it belongs in, and if we have to sort through a bunch of irrelevant stuff to see why you deserve a shot, then the reality is that we may not find that nugget you've hidden down in job #4. That's just the reality of the market - people don't have time to thoroughly read each resume when they get hundreds of applicants, so your resume is probably looked at for a matter of seconds before people decide whether you're a serious enough candidate to even read the whole thing.