Recruiters.. how bad does it look to have a 'mistake' on your CV?

[RussellSprout]

Ended up in a nightmare situation last year where I left a job of 5 years for what I thought would be a better long term option... turned out the job was nothing like described, very junior and limited contact with clients.

I decided to leave after a couple of months as the relationship with my boss broke down when she realised I was not happy/wanted more.

I've put the job on my CV but with very little detail compared to my previous job as my examples and acheivements that I want to talk about pre date this job... I don't think I acheived anything to talk about at interview in the time I was there, I was barely given any work and spent the first month on induction and last month on garden leave!

How bad does a 3 month stint look... the rest of my CV is quite stable with a 5 year job and 2 x 2 year jobs before that.

Any tips for how to talk about it and spin it in the best light?

Put it down as a temp position.

Role not as described.

That covers it.

You are allowed to make one mistake - did you stay longer in your next role? I'd be "honest" and say the role/culture wasn't for you. If you were bouncing constantly I'd be worried.

I'm trying to find my next role now... I won't make the same mistake twice!

Just worried it looks like I was fired in probation, or asked to leave... anyone in that position would probably say the role was not as expected rather than they were asked to leave.

I wasnt' asked to leave but my boss made it very difficult for me to stay once she realised I wanted more than she was prepared to give.

I am not a recruiter. If it is 3 months, I would be tempted to say you took a break as it is not long enough a time period to create any issues on a CV. It will also explain why you are not currently in a job.

This avoids any niggles in the interviewer's mind whether you did not clear probation. It also avoids you unavoidably putting the previous employer in a bad light which never looks good however justified.

The problem with saying it was a temp role is that it is not believable that someone would leave a job they were in for 5 years to take up a 3 month temp role, unless there were some particular circumstances (e.g. re-training) to justify it.

Yes, but how to explain I left a 5 year job for nothing? I'd have to invent a family illness or something which I don't really want to do.

I am going to be honest, say job was different to what I expected and didn't contain the elements of what I do that I really like (which the roles I am applying for will). hopefully i can do that in a way which doesn't slag off previous employer. After all it may have been the right role for someone (more junior/willing to be a lap dog)

Fgs don't miss a job out - you're lying by omission and it could come back to haunt you.

Yes, but how to explain I left a 5 year job for nothing?

'Role not as described'.

As already mentioned. Stop overthinking it.