Job History Problem

[HoumiLoomi]

I’ve had 4 jobs, 1 job for 5 years and the most recent 3 I’ve had (including the one I’m in now for less than 6 months). I left 1 job because I was a contractor and the contract ended. The other 2 just haven’t been right for me. But that makes me look really flighty on my CV.

Can I remove one of these jobs (the one in between contracting and my current job) or how else do I explain it to potential employers?

Contract ended: nothing needs to be hidden about that.

What do you 2 jobs "not right for me". Not right... how?

If your work history is that short you are probably pretty young, so still finding out what suits you.

Well the first temporary job didn’t work out because the hours expected where much longer than had been advertised. My current job I really love it but a friend has emailed me a job advert that I’m qualified for and think I could do well in, and it’s more than 1/3 higher salary, so I’m tempted to apply. I just think my work history makes me look flakey.

If you were brave enough to say more about the type of work you'd probably get some recruiters. Repost again in the morning.

(Hours) Terms & conditions not as described is decent reason to leave.

Will it be a pain for current employer to replace you in the job you are at now? You don't want to look like someone who gets attracted away too easily.

I work as a PA to a Finance Director.

That’s what I’m worried about. Both the hassle to my boss and how it will make me look. At the same time it is a really great opportunity and as a family we could really do with the hike in salary.

Hopeful bump

Is there really any harm in applying and just seeing how it goes?

Youve got a job in the meantime - if you don't get to interview/get offered the new job then surely no harm is done. Your current employer duesnt need to know you've applied, surely?

I think there is less pressure (and less opportunity) to have jobs for life these days. Instead I think people are going for vocations or job roles. You could spin your CV to show that you are using the changes to build your skills in the PA world. There is absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to move on and up in a career in several companies rather than stick to one. (I also think that not many blokes would have this inner turmoil when looking at career moves).

True, Se7ven11 but this job is an amazing opportunity (the one I want to apply for) and I want to give myself the best chance of getting it. Would it be bad to remove one of the temp jobs from my CV? I wouldn’t use it as a reference anyway. Or will they find out somehow and then it would look even worse?

Just put down that the contracts ended. You're not the only one and it'll look like you did contract work for a period. That's not unusual. Your current job won't count, because you're still at it.

I wouldn't leave one off, it'll look dishonest should it ever come up.

PAs move a lot, as far as I can tell. It's a high churn profession.

I have four jobs on my CV (in 8 years) and am about to start the 5th. It’s perfectly normal nowadays to move more often. I think people have a misplaced loyalty to employers. There was a new report recently saying that the average change in salary on moving jobs was about 3x the average annual increase when staying in the same job. Why wouldn’t people move?!

I think if you omit one of the temp roles you are then faced with having to explain that gap in your cv.

Much better, if you can, to show a continuous flow of employment I think, rather than a period of unemployment.?

Can't you cover both temp roles under one CV heading October 2017- October 18 temporary contracts through Agency Name at companies including Prestigious Employer name. Responsibilities included Impressive Things. These temporary contracts gave me insight into varied aspects of my chosen career and allowed me to learn X skill and gain experience of y.

Missing punctuation above - should have been

Under one heading: October 2017 - October 2018

hope it makes sense!

Could you say that you left to expand your skill set?

One job was a temporary contract, the other job wasn’t temporary. It was supposed to be a permanent job but I hated it. So unfortunately couldn’t put both under the same heading.

I got offered a job interview. It’s tomorrow. I’m sure I will be asked about my job hopping. Anyone got a coherent answer I can use?

Just be honest, references can ask for the dates you were employed and you can also be asked what you did in a gap. It also means you have to remember not to mention any experience you gained from the job you missed out. Terms and conditions not as advertised are fine as a reason for leaving a job. Good luck.

good luck with the job interview