Should you list a former employer on your resume even if they might not put in a good word for you?

Question

This was a part-time, summer job. It lasted two months before I quit.

This was an office job, if that's relevant. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Answer 1

Two months is not a crucial gap on a resume. You can leave it out altogether, or write

May-August 2005 Part-time Clerical work, various employers

Answer 2

Depends on how many other jobs you have to list on your resume. Gaps in your employment history never look good, so it may be a good idea to include it anyway (unless you might have been working another part-time job at the same time...?) Typically prospective employers will ask if they can contact each individual prior employer when you go through the application process. Just say they can't contact that particular one.

Answer 3

If it was only two months, then no, you don't have to put them down on your resume.

In most states, though, a former employer can only tell a prospective employer that a) yes, you worked for them and b) whether you are "eligible for re-hire" or not. They can't, by law, talk trash about you.

Personal references is a different matter altogether, but when it comes to verifying employment, those are the laws that typically stand.

Answer 4

I think you can still list this employer. Just don't worry about filling out the address or phone number, and don't list that person as a reference. Everyone has an employer that they don't like for some reason, so don't worry about it. If you are asked about the job, try to say something positive or frame it as a learning experience.

Answer 5

Yes, always list it, even though your old boss might not respond well in your favor......

By listing it, you prove honesty in that the job didn't work out for you and that you had to leave by ?????? insert answer here.....because it didn't work out for you, by either boss or job situation.

Let your future employer decide what is important, not you on your resume. If a boss thinks you are a bad apple because of two months at a lousy job with an ****** boss......you don't need that job either.....yes?

Answer 6

KennyShoneyPie and Abe are correct, I believe. I can't top that, but might suggest you could list the job experience AND:

Was there any other work you did before and after that you could list, maybe "self-employed" with some customer references?

For instance, if you mowed some relatives or neighbours lawns, you could say you were an entrepreneur. Or if you taught or tutored part time, you could list that. Just put the customers in references.

Answer 7

An employer that bad mouths you after you have left risks a defamation suit .. but that doesnt stop the ignorent - you have to weigh this VS having holes in employment history .. two months is barely enough time to figure out what you are doing .,.

Answer 8

If your new employer is asking you to be honest and list all places yu've worked and you feel they are capable of retrieving this info then list it otherwise only list the skills you've earned and if asked about it say you felt it was irrelevant.

Good luck with the interview and job!

Answer 9

You list it, as there's nothing you can do about the company being out of business. Make sure if you provide a list of references or get to an interview, you are sure to mention why this company cannot be contacted.

Answer 10

No. If they cannot give you a good reference, it's best not to list it. Perhaps you can list the skills you used in that job under another more general heading - like 'other experience'.