work history

[goldenshoes]

I'm applying for a job after nearly 20 years of self employment and the application form is asking for my entire work history. I don't think I can remember the dates of most jobs previous to starting self employment, and the longest one lasted about 18 months so there are a few to get through!

Should I just enter my self employment since it's been so long? Or should I list my 2 month stint in H&M followed by picking berries one summer? Help!

I was in a similar position to you about this last year. I contacted my previous employers, HMRC and one of those checking companies that verifies what you put on your CV. None of them could help, HMRC could only go back 5-7 years, so I had to go on best guesses, especially as some of the companies no longer existed. I listed from my first full-time role.