resume with a poor work history?

Question

do you need to put all jobs even temp jobs on your resume or hired in jobs? I have had a few jobs that I have either been laid off or quit because they were temp to hire. Do I need to put them all on my resume or just a few. my resume is looking pretty bad when i put 8 jobs on there that most were only 2-3 month assignment.

Answer 1

I usually skip the jobs that are really short, unless there's a very good reason why they were so short. I just keep my major jobs. This way the companies will know that you're looking for something longterm and won't skip out after training.
- Remember, be truthful, I made a mistake on a background check about the length of employment (I typed the wrong year in) and I lost an opportunity for a great job.

Answer 2

From an employer's perspective, if you list each of these assignments separately, you will look like job hopper.

List the complete temp service and then only highlight those jobs that APPLY to the job you are seeking. For instance:

Dec, 2004 to Dec, 2006
Temporary Positions
Robert Half Inc (Name of your agencies, do not list more than 2)
City, ST
Receptionist - Operated a 24 line phone system with ease. etc.

Try to keep gaps between jobs to a minimum.

Good luck

Answer 3

For resume purposes - unloess you are going for a super CEO or high tech job, most employers will really not check your info. what you do is list temp jobs a freelance work. In other words, you were an independent contracotr during that time period. You do not list your employers or positions, as it may violate terms or conditions of your employment and cost you future work DO
NOTlist the 8 jobs - you put on your resume that you did freelance contracting.

Answer 4

Well technically you can put whatever you want on your resume, but the smartest thing to do is to put the jobs on that you have the best report from. Like if you got fired because you dated your boss' daughter, don't put that place of employment. If someone wanting to hire called that old boss, he probably wouldn't give a good report.

Answer 5

Go to your local community college and take a course in career planning. You will learn a lot about resume writing and your marketable skills. Things you do every day will be labeled with technical business terminology. The course helped me to write a job specific resume and the all important cover letter. I believe the cover letter is directly responsible for my going from zero to three job offers in one month's job search time.

Answer 6

Instead of listing temp jobs individually, I'd lump them together and explained that from Feb 04 - Dec 06 I worked as a temporary and did multiple assignments. That will surely look better than a long series of short term jobs. Good luck.

Answer 7

You do not have to put anything on your resume you do not wish to put. However, if a future employer asks you about other jobs not on the resume, you need to answer them honestly. But you only have to tell them if they ask.

Answer 8

You may want to create an "accomplishments" resume. It is one in which you list your abilities, skills (transferrable), and education. If you are bilingual, this is where it belongs. High school graduate? The main thing is to present "the best you" on one page. A good resume gets you an interview.

Keep in mind, employers look for "gaps" in one's employment and will ask this in an interview. Here you can explain that these positions were "temporary."

Best wishes.

Answer 9

You can go ahead and put them down. When they ask you why your work history is so bad. Just be honest. Say, "I know my work history isn't the greatest. I haven't found a suitable job that I like". Good Luck!

Answer 10

if you got laid off...put it on your resume...it is not your fault....
but if you quit, do not put that on your resume.