Whether you leave a job voluntarily or are fired, navigating termination dates on your resume can be tough. Should you include a job on your resume even if you voluntarily walked away from it?
The consensus among experienced recruiters is a resounding “Maybe.” Here’s how to decide:
Keep It or Delete It? A “Litmus Test”
When deciding whether or not to list a “quit” position on your resume, ask these three questions:
- Was it a contract or temporary position?
- Did you stay longer than 90 days?
- When you left, did you receive a severance package?
If the answer to all three questions is “No,” it may be best to leave the position off your resume. This is especially true if the position is not related to your industry – for instance, if you took a job for six weeks in an unrelated field while searching for a new long-term position.
What if the answers are all “No,” but the job gave you exposure to a particular project or paired you with a particular “key player” in your industry? In this case, you may choose either to list the job or to leave it off your resume and discuss it during the interview, when the time comes to talk about your current unemployment.
When to Keep a Job on the List
If you can answer any of the above questions with a “Yes,” keeping the job on your resume may be a more viable option – especially if the job is in your industry or used soft skills that are directly relevant to the long-term work you’re looking for.
When should you absolutely list a short-term job you voluntarily quit? Always put these jobs on company application forms. The form should show your complete work history – even when a job only lasted a few weeks.
Step Two: Handling the Job Discussion During the Interview
Whether you mention a short-term job in your paperwork or not, chances are good that any gaps in your job history will come up during the interview. Even if the interviewer doesn’t ask directly about the gaps in your work history, you should bring them up in a proactive, positive light.
For example, if you leave a short-term job off your resume (or include it in the job application), you might bring it up when the interviewer asks what you’re doing now: “For the past month, I worked at Company X, doing Y. The job gave me a great chance to brush up on my communications skills by….” Similarly, you can discuss this job in response to another question that asks about communication skills, your weaknesses, or other areas in which you’ve recently learned or practiced a particular skill.
How Can ABA Search Assist You?
At ABA Search & Staffing, our experienced recruiters can help you polish your resume and sharpen your interview skills to improve your chance of landing the job you want. Contact the expert recruiters at ABA Search today to learn more.