I was fired from my job after 4 years. How do I show this on my resume?

Question

This sounds bad but I was fired for theft from my employer after 4 years. I do not think I can use them as a reference on my resume.

How do I show the 4 years of work on my resume? I'm sure they will ask for references and this was my main job experience.

Answer 1

Under "reason for leaving" :

TOTAL FAILURE.

Answer 2

I would suggest trying to think of anybody at the job that you were at for 4 years that might like you still...there's got to be somebody, right? I mean, a reference doesn't have to be your boss or anything, just someone who can vouch for you being good at what you did. Or some of what you did.

If that's not an option, you still have to include those 4 years on your resume, but instead of using people from your former job as a reference, bulk up your reference list with professors/teachers, family friends, whomever. I mean, a lot of places will not call the whole reference list, and it's also fairly common for people to not want potential employers to call recent employers.
But remember, you put in 4 years somewhere, so you are entitled to show it on your resume. There are many reasons that people have to not contact their last employer, either tell a white lie or don't include the contact info.

Btw, if you have a stealing problem, please try to get help befor you get another job. Really.

Answer 3

First, putting down your work experience is different from giving that employer as a reference. It doesn't discount your four years' experience because you stole something. So, put down that information under "WORK EXPERIENCE" or whatever heading you have.

Next, on your job application--which is a totally different thing--you'll be asked whether or not your most recent employer may be contacted. This is where you decide "yes" or "no." You are welcome to check "no." You may be asked about it in an interview, but then again you may not.

Next, if you have an interview, it is *most likely* best to bring up the reason for your discharge if you now have a criminal record as a result. If you have no criminal record, you don't have to disclose the reason you got fired if you don't want to. If you do have a criminal record, chances are pretty good that the job you're interviewing for will do a background check. If you are upfront, and if you explain the circumstances, they may appreciate your honesty and still be willing to give you a shot. If you avoid telling them, and they later find out you have a criminal charge, your chances of getting that job go down considerably.

If you have no criminal record, then just do what I suggested above: Put your work experience on your resume; say on your application that your most recent employer shouldn't be contacted; and then, if asked about it in an interview, decide beforehand what you will say. If they ask you and you're not prepared, they will know by your confusion and stammering that you are hiding something.

I hope this helps.

Oh: And don't steal anymore. It will eliminate all of these problems in the future if you just stay out of trouble. Assume that you'll eventually get caught and that your life will be more difficult as a result.

Answer 4

"Actually, employers are not allowed to say anything incriminating about you, even if you are guilty."

That is not true. That is the private policy of some employers, but it is not a law.

In fact, in some places failure to disclose things such as theft or embezzlement to subsequent employers can expose the former employer to liability for "negligent reference" if he does it again at his new employer and they find out it isn't the first time.

To be realistic about it though, if they didn't press charges they probably won't mention it when they are called for a reference because they don't have any way to back up what they are saying. It (meaning the theft and the naming of the person responsible) would be their opinion or conclusion rather than fact if they did not pursue the matter legally.

Answer 5

You will have to list them on your resume. A background check will show you worked there and if you leave it out it will be considered a purposeful omission (lie).

I would simply say that you left the company because of a misunderstanding with management.

I'm sorry, but that will probably prompt questions about the reason you left your previous employer. I hate to say it, but if you did something wrong, it will follow you around like a bad penny.

On an encouraging note: Your previous employer is only allowed BY LAW to say that you worked there from Year 1 to Year 4. They cannot say anything else.

Answer 6

List your experience of working there with dates and such, you aren't required to list phone numbers or contacts. With a resume that should go on a seperate form anyway. If they want to discuss your reason for leaving, that's when you can decide what you tell them. My resume doesn't list anything but where and when I worked and the type of work I did. My reference sheet actually has personal references and friends that I worked with,not for. Try that out. Next time, be smart about your job, and don't even give them a reason to accuse you of anything bad. Good luck on the job hunt.

Answer 7

Use the reference of your co-workers, dont mention why you left they can not legally ask and if your employers say you were fired for any reason they are breaking the law. The most they ever can say is they would not hire you back.

That being said, maybe the best thing is to say 'we did not part on the best of terms and therefore I dont know what they will say about me. I gave them 4 wonderful years of my life, and dont regret it, they just are not happy at losing me" that will generally cover.

if you were convicted of theft you may have more problems than that. Fake references that will answer for you may help but do that only if you have no other choices.

Answer 8

It depends. Did you steal a pen or something big? And why did you do that? Depending on your type of job, you can put on your resume, "Conflict of Interest". You must show what you have been doing for the past four years! Interviewers will think that you were just sitting on your ***. List the company that you worked for for the four years, and pray that they don't call them. If you have a friend at your old job, list them on the resume as the boss. This way, the friend can vouch for you as a good employee and you can totally avoid your new employer speaking to your old boss. I hope that helps. Good Luck.

Answer 9

Alright - you've gotten enough judgemental answers, so I won't keep pounding you on that front. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you've changed your ways and learned from your mistakes.

List the employer on your resume, but do not list them as a reference (and do not include contact information). When you fill out an application, there is usually a place that you have to check to allow them to contact a former employer. Don't check that.

Depending on the labor laws of your state, your former employer is not legally allowed to release information to anyone on the reason for your separation from employment. In general, they're only allowed to verify your date of hire, date of termination and salary. When they begin answering other questions, they open themselves to lawsuits and most don't want the hassle. When asked during an interview why you left, simply say, "a difference of opinion" and don't elaborate.

One word of caution though - don't lie further. Those who have suggested you lie, give false information or have friends lie for you are not doing you any good. You'll just build a bigger web of lies.

Good luck in turning things around for yourself.

Answer 10

Don't put it on your resume. Suck it up, it's the price that you pay for stealing from an employer, let alone one that you worked for for so long. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!
I'm appalled that someone said "you better think of something good.. are you black?" What horrible advice. I don't care what nationality a person is, if I were an employer, I would still check... and it's sad that some people are able to even lie and give that card as an excuse to get out of screwing up.
This is a sad world that we live in.

Answer 11

Well.... from an employer stand point I will say if you put it on your resume they may still be contacted, even if not listed as a reference.... especially if it is the only experience you have in this field, and if they tell the prospective employer about the theft.... you wont get the job.... I would omit it all together personally....