Comments on: Can I leave a job off my resume?

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 18:23:55 +0000

I would leave off what doesn’t fit and surely include family related work as a job even if you were doing it for free. What if you manage a family portfolio because your father or mother passed? What if you manage their bills daily for years? Their banking and legal issues? That is work and often more complicated than many salaried employees. I know many who handle family affairs that certainly quality as experience at the executive level. You have mentioned on another site a few prongs about family work and the idea that just because your family isn’t a corporation does not mean you aren’t doing 100K worth of work for them in some instances.

By: Elizabeth West

Elizabeth West — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 15:20:09 +0000

Eh, I left off one that only lasted a few months. It was a really horrible place and I was only there for a short period. I just wanted to forget it ever happened! When people asked what I was doing, I just told them I had been laid off from the job before that and was in school (both true).

If I had to apply for something where I needed clearance, or would have a law enforcement-level background check, then of course I would mention it. But every resume is supposed to be tailored to the position, right? 😉

By: Miss Sharen

Miss Sharen — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:09:32 +0000

I agree with EHRL; everything I put on my resume is true; but not everything that is true is on my resume. I think most recruiters and hiring managers take the resume “with a grain of salt” so to speak, unless it’s government or military related. It is a marketing tool, not necessarily a legal document. I don’t list the first 12 years of my work experience on my resume; it’s not relevant to what I do now, takes up too much space, and worst of all, it gives away my age! ;-P
When I complete a job application, I list as far as back as is required on the job application and/or on the background check form if there is one.