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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU Leaving A Position Off Job App

32 replies

Jadetreesbringluck · 03/02/2020 11:24

Not sure what to do! I am applying for a role with a council (so very formal background checks etc). I have been self employed for the last 12months but before that I took a job that didn't work out....It was a very senior post but I refused to sign the contract they gave me (ridiculous expectations - crazy target in a short time, they basically lied about the 'team' I would have etc etc) so I wouldn't sign the contract and left!

Really don't want to put it on the new application as I think it will look bad - although I firmly stand by my decision - however if they find out then it could be worse?

The post I am applying for is Officer - level 5. The job I left was a Director position.

What do I do?

OP posts:

Original poster

Jadetreesbringluck · 03/02/2020 11:27

Sorry didn't mean to add a poll - but sure its there now.

AIBU - Do not disclose
ANBU - Disclose

OP posts:

Hingeandbracket · 03/02/2020 11:29

Disclose

Thescrewinthetuna · 03/02/2020 11:32

Nah don’t disclose

JeezyPeeps · 03/02/2020 11:35

Don't disclose.

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/02/2020 14:24

How long were you there? Arguably, if you never signed a contract then you were never officially employed, and if it was literally a period of a few weeks, it’s not going to look like be a period out of employment that you’d need to explain away. And whilst councils do generally check references thoroughly, unless you have a lot of contacts in the sector through whom information could flow, I can’t imagine how anyone would find out that you accepted the position (in which case it would make no difference whether you leave it off or not.)

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/02/2020 14:26

To be honest I’d leave it off simply because if the discrepancy in seniority: if I received an application from somebody for an officer level job who had previously held a director position I’d wonder why they were downgrading so much, unless it was following a significant number of years of unemployment or similar.

thickwoollytights · 03/02/2020 14:29

If you didn't sign the contract then you were never formally employed. Just increase your SE dates to incorporate that time

user14928465 · 03/02/2020 14:33

www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions

As soon as someone accepts a job offer they have a contract with their employer. An employment contract doesn’t have to be written down.

What some pp have said is not correct.

elessar · 03/02/2020 14:43

I wouldn't put it on - your CV is there to promote your relevant experience that you want to highlight - you don't have to put every single job you've had on there.

As long as you don't lie - if they specifically ask you something about it - then there's no harm in leaving it off. I assume you barely even worked there, so to be honest in my view, it would be more misleading to put it on as you never had any meaningful experience in that role.

PigletJohn · 03/02/2020 15:23

I once worked at a place that was so awful, people said they'd leave it off their CV and just say they'd been in prison.

Luckily it went bust.

Zogtastic · 03/02/2020 15:25

How long were you there?

Coralfish · 03/02/2020 15:27

I would not say 'don't disclose' but I would certainly leave it off your CV on the basis of it not being relevant experience. However, if they specifically ask for it (e.g. last x years' employment history) and you think there is a chance of them finding out, then I would put it on, but leave out the 'director' bit - either give yourself a more wishy washy title or leave it out altogether if you can. If you have left it off your CV and they find out, you can just say you didn't think it was relevant.

ViaSacra · 03/02/2020 15:34

If you never signed the contract, surely you never actually had the job? In which case, you would not be unreasonable to leave it off.

Rosebel · 03/02/2020 15:54

When my husband applied for his council job it said full employment history required. Not sure if it's the same everywhere but if so I'd be wary about leaving it off just incase.
They are also shit hot on references and checks. Maybe leave it off but mention it if you get an interview and explain what happened.

filka · 03/02/2020 16:04

How long did it last, how big a gap will you have on your CV? My inclination is to omit from CV on grounds o relevance, but disclose if asked for an employment history grounds of accuracy.

The downside of a job that didn't work out might be that it reveals some poor judgement.

I wouldn't try to fudge it, or lose it in your period of self-employment - I know it's last year, but what if they asked for your last P45?

Cyberve · 03/02/2020 16:25

You weren't employed, why disclose it? Just admit you were unemployed as you were.

ShyTown · 03/02/2020 16:35

Personally I would omit it from your initial application and/or not put it on your CV. Then if you get the job I would then I would disclose it at that point and explain to whoever is doing the screening that you accepted a job offer there but never signed a contract.

Drabarni · 03/02/2020 16:48

Disclose, if you get the job and are found out they'll sack you, and rightly so.

welshladywhois40 · 03/02/2020 16:56

Did you start the job and receive any pay because of you did then it is very traceable and lying in your work history can be found out.

Where I work we use agencies to check references and have rejected candidates where discrepancies exist.

Include it if you did work and were paid and explain it. I have a 6 week job I started and left. It was misold the job at interview and while I would include it I would expect a reference to be taken from that job.

Llareggub · 03/02/2020 17:04

Did you actually work in the role? If so yes, you should disclose. If anyone finds out there will be a question regarding your integrity and honesty.

PlomBear · 03/02/2020 17:21

Out of interest, how is work history traceable? I left a job after half a day recently (long story) no payment, no HRMC record so how would that be traceable?

I’ve had a couple of jobs I only stayed at a month. When applying for security clearance I put them down as temp jobs and the civil service department checked my 3 year working history with HRMC. No actual references required.

tallah · 04/02/2020 08:04

No need to disclose

BigPinkFlower · 04/02/2020 08:28

If you started work at the place then you must disclosed or instant dismissal if it emerges at any point later

AlwaysCheddar · 04/02/2020 08:39

I won’t disclose it as it’s going to look odd you having a director role and then applying to be an officer, which is a big difference.

PineappleDanish · 04/02/2020 08:42

How long were you there?

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