Author Topic: Put short-time job on resume??  (Read 2434 times)

Chris22

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Put short-time job on resume??
« on: October 20, 2016, 02:12:40 PM »
Relatively simple question, relatively long background:  I seem to have fairly terrible luck with companies.  I’ve had stints of ~5 years each with two, neither of which were doing particularly well while I was there.  I recently left the second, mainly due to a number of issues surrounding pay (10% furlough), continual layoffs, and the resultant terrible morale all around.  (I took a package out of the first, which was the eleventyth round of RIFs).  I came to a company that by all accounts is doing well financially, in a stable industry, etc.  I’m in my 5th week here, and it’s going OK, not great, not terrible.  However, they just announced plans to eliminate up to 20% of their support staff (I’m in that bucket) over the next 6-12 months.  I’m not super worried about my role, it’s fairly specialized and contributory to their overall goals, but still, I just don’t want to work in this environment AGAIN.  It is just draining, sad, and terrible, and I just hate the drag it has on morale.  I have no ties to the current company that can’t be severed tomorrow (i.e., no hiring bonus/relo/etc to be paid back).

 

So I was idly scrolling the LinkedIn job postings, and there are a couple solid ones out there I’d consider applying for.  My question is, given I’ve been in my role for all of 5 weeks, is it worth putting this role on my resume?  I am not going to hide the fact that I’m here in an interview, but given that I haven’t done a whole lot, is it worth mentioning?  I can just end my prior role as of September 2016, and address the gap in an interview.  Just wondering if “started doing XXX” or “proposed plan to solve YYY” is something even worth ‘bragging’ about.  And honestly, I’m not planning (or ready) to go hit the job market hard, just thinking about dropping a couple applications at solid companies as opportunities pop up.  I know it “looks bad” to jump around, but again, I’m selling it as “hey, I was there 20 minutes and they said they wanted to cut 20% of the workforce, I figured I’d cut my losses” as reasonable to potential hiring managers.

Cwadda

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2016, 02:37:23 PM »
I'd put it if you're prepared to talk about it/want to talk about it. If you can explain things in a professional way that won't make you look like a job hopper, go for it.

I had something kinda similar happen when I began interviewing for positions a few months back. I had work experience listed (2014-present) on my resume basically pointing out that I was looking for jobs while still hired. When asked about it in the interview I said I wanted to work in a more progressive company and that present company made me feel limited. It wasn't pressed further. Got the job.

Basically a more professional way of saying the management was extremely comfortable and it became far too limiting for my liking and ability to perform best.

Chris22

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2016, 02:47:21 PM »
I guess my problem is, I haven't really DONE anything yet to put on the resume. "Finished sexual harassment training. Enrolled in 401(k).  Set up email signature."  Etc Etc.

Cwadda

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2016, 02:53:58 PM »
No real need to put it then! Just IMO.

caracarn

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2016, 02:54:11 PM »
For this short time, you can go either way.  Most people place years on the resume only so unless you mention it no one will even realize that your other job that ended in 2016 is not where you are at.  Obviously you do not want to lie in the interview.  Because of that, I do think it is cleaner to list it because otherwise it appears like you were hiding it for some reason and now they have you in for an interview and they might feel snookered.

dividendman

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2016, 02:55:57 PM »
I'd put it down just so they know where you are currently, what your role is, etc.. I would also put a one bullet summary of the job indicating your areas of responsibility. If they look at the dates they'll realize you haven't been employed long enough to have a longer summary.

TOgirl

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Re: Put short-time job on resume??
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2016, 10:33:25 AM »
I had my shortest job ever on my resume - 6 weeks before I applied for another position (within the same government, so not really considered a bad thing) and it ended up being that job title that 'screened me in' for future opportunities and landed me my current job. As long as you can discuss what your role was, what your were responsible for, what your unit was doing at the time, etc... I see it as a positive.