To miss a job from my CV?

[FrostyChocolateMilkshake]

Never done this before and pretty sure it isn't the "done thing".

A recruitment agency have found my CV online. However, it is an old CV (last updated beginning of 2020). I need to update it before they put me forward for this new role.

However, between the time of my employment in January 2020 and my current employment, I worked for a company for around 3 months. Unfortunately the job didn't work out (the role wasn't as advertised, long story, won't get into it here) so I left for the job I am in now.

WIBU to miss this employment period from my CV? As it is completely irrelevant. I hate lying though, and wouldn't know what to put instead of the job - my DH says periods of time that is unaccountable is worse than telling the truth about the job role. If that makes sense.

Please could someone give me some advice? I need to update my CV ASAP but don't know what is best.

I hope all this makes sense!

Absolutely not unreasonable! Miss it off your CV - if a check were to be carried out and they called that job then you might not get the job altogether. Yes I agree with your DH that gaps in CVs cause more concern for question than jobs but then if they call that company/agency and you don't get a good 'reference' then you're basically not getting the job. There are very simple and indeed creative ways to make-up for gaps. If you feel that putting that job in would jeopardise your chances then absolutely leave it out! There are many other ways to explain what you were doing!

You could say it was 3 months but you felt the role was different to advertised. I deleted mine off as I had good bit temping. Mine was dire told I wasnt right fit at all. God so humiliating at the time!! Didnt fancy explaining that. 3 months

I was in a job for 6 weeks - it was awful and is certainly not on my CV! Leave it off x

I disagree. If you have a stable work history you can be honest and explain it was the wrong fit and why you left diplomatically.

I have been in this position. Current job nearly 6 years, prior job 6 months, prior to that 6 years.

As someone who is currently hiring (i do so fairly regularly), i always question gaps in cvs. It's not a big enough deal for me to reject a candidate if their overall experience fits my needs, but i would ask about it at interview stage.
Your explanation sounds perfectly reasonable. Why not include it and use it as a selling point? You secured the job, tried it, realised the role/culture/whatever wasn't a good match so opted to move on rather than keep flogging a dead horse. I'd respect that.

Your CV is a marketing document. It should certainly be truthful, but it doesn't have to be encyclopaedic - it's normal to tailor it for individual applications with information relevant to your candidacy for that role. Totally fine to leave stuff out if it's not relevant.

Depends how thorough any background checks are should you be offered the role. An undeclared role would create far more questions in my opinion.

Leave it off! I hate reading CV’s which are like war and peace. Only put relevant details on there, that job wasn’t a good match for you so not much point going into it!

DH is right though that you do need to account for that time. I'd include it and if asked, tell them what you've said here.

Thanks for your comments all. I am not naive in thinking the employer wouldn't ask, but I don't want to end up in a situation of having to lie or backtrack.

If you do miss employment off your CV, what would this make the employer think? I'm so torn and don't know what to do!

@Madre1972

Depends how thorough any background checks are should you be offered the role. An undeclared role would create far more questions in my opinion.

This is what I thought. I wouldnt want to leave an approx 3 month gap without the necessary means of explaining myself.

But then if I tell the truth and basically say the job wasn't as advertised, I didnt enjoy it for various reasons, would they not think my work ethic isn't up to scratch?

It just leads to more questions I think.. I had around 6 temping roles so I deleted other role so its never brought up. Thankfully

I said my 6 month blip was a ‘fixed term contract’

I'm hot sure I'd "think" anything but it would be a faff, I would need there is a gap. The woman who does the shortlisting for most roles would have to contact you to find out what's behind the gap interview. If there were plenty of other strong candidates, she might not bother.

Do people actually tell the whole truth on their cv’s!? I think your over thinking it, try not to worry so much.

@MagicMatilda

Do people actually tell the whole truth on their cv’s!? I think your over thinking it, try not to worry so much.

You're probably right!

Miss it off unless you are likely to refer to it in any interview questions etc.

I don’t think three months is much of a gap.
I’d leave it off for brevity’s sake.

Depends on job. My last couple of jobs they have run a full background check. It's not so much about work ethic (they can't really tell about that) but honesty. I have a job I was forced out of - it was working at the "darling" of our industry and loads of people in the industry would love to work there - but I had a bad boss and was bullied out - the only time in my 30+ year career. I can't miss it out and there are inevitable questions, but I just say there was a personality clash (which isn't a lie - she was the boss from hell).
I think it's better to give a good honest account with a positive spin than try to hide stuff.