Job Applications

[Shangri-laschild]

My friend is filling out applications and he's having some trouble. He says that when the do a background check on you, all the places that you have worked show up. He's convinced that not telling about a previous job is technically lying and the app says that any lies on it are grounds for termination. Because of all of this, he thinks that they won't hire him if he doesn't put down one of his past jobs (it was one of two jobs he's had and it was only for 3 months).

Just how true is it that they can see all your past jobs? It sounds very unlikely to me, but on the off chance that I'm wrong, and to try to help convince him, I thought'd I'd ask. He was only there for 3 months and it doesn't look the best on his application unless he really fudges why he left.

Also, if you left because management was stressing you out, is there a better way to phrase that on your application for reason for leaving? His other job was working at an Arby's for two years and it just got to him after a while.

[Arm]

There are ways that a person could go about finding out what you've been doing in the past, even if you don't list it. It is *unlikely* that a company would bother with that unless they have a reason to do so. If your friend is looking to work at a bank, maybe. If he's trying to get a security clearance, then certainly. Otherwise, probably they will simply go by what information he puts down.

That said, leaving gaps in an employment history will raise questions.

If he quit because he was being stressed out, then I would describe that as 'personal reasons,' or, perhaps he could identify what about the job was stressful to him. Perhaps he didn't like the commute, or the hours didn't agree with his schedule. If it was a personal conflict with someone else in the workplace, you don't want to mention that, because it might appear that you don't deal with conflicts very well. Especially if it was with a manager.

That's just my two cents. There are many others here who can also give helpful information.

[Shangri-laschild]

That said, leaving gaps in an employment history will raise questions.

Luckily he was in high school during this and so he can use school as an excuse for the gap so long as he's clear that he's done with school now and that will hopefully help.

[JLRodgers]

I can honestly say that if someone did a background check on me -- they'd get more WRONG information than right. I've been listed as working places and in towns I've never lived in. My last cat that died (Newt) is listed as my father somehow.... numbers I've never had show up. And on one place I'm still working at a SAMS club (that I haven't worked at for almost 11 years). I can't even change the info because I can't prove I am who I say I am (that is: I can't verify their info as accurate therefore I must be lying).

So I doubt they can show where you worked so much as what your employeer might of been based on taxes or something (what companies reported you worked for them). When you consider I've worked jobs from a "paper route" to "management" from "information technology" to "foodservice" -- I leave a LOT off my applications for work experience as it doesn't apply.

I tell people to just put down what's valid for the position, and unless there's some big gap or they're worried about gaps (like a year, or a noticable one), leave the other out. For me, I list employement based on year only (no months - for one I can't remember except for one job anyway). But, it also helps round out any small gaps (2005-2007, 2007-current [yet if you had 4 jobs in 2007 - it doesn't look that way if you go by year]).

[tropicsgoddess]

My friend is filling out applications and he's having some trouble. He says that when the do a background check on you, all the places that you have worked show up. He's convinced that not telling about a previous job is technically lying and the app says that any lies on it are grounds for termination. Because of all of this, he thinks that they won't hire him if he doesn't put down one of his past jobs (it was one of two jobs he's had and it was only for 3 months).

Also, if you left because management was stressing you out, is there a better way to phrase that on your application for reason for leaving? His other job was working at an Arby's for two years and it just got to him after a while.

More often than not, employers usually check for criminal history with background checks and yes, the job history can show up on there. The gaps thing and the small jobs shouldn't be a big deal, but that depends on the prospective employer. What would really bar somebody from being considered for employment or terminated is if it was something like a crime/conviction he didn't disclose or that he outright lied (saying he worked at ______ place as a ________and never did). As far as the reason for leaving thing, your friend could say that the work environment was not right for him.