With Halloween just around the corner, a scary job history may be fitting…but it also makes it more difficult to land a job. How can you overcome past mistakes so you can land the position of your dreams? Here are some situations and tips to help you deal with the challenges of each one:
When you’ve been unemployed for an extended period of time.
As one of Central Connecticut’s top employment agencies, Stewart Staffing knows that today, hiring managers are more accepting of resume gaps and periods of unemployment. That said, having a long history of unemployment is never a good thing. So what can you do to nip this issue in the bud?
Take back some control. If there’s an area in your skill set that could use some freshening up, enroll in a continuing education class. Other ideas? Volunteer with an industry association or try to secure freelance or consulting work. Not only will you expand your network and sharpen existing or obtain new skills, but you’ll be able to make a far better impression on hiring managers when they ask what you’ve been doing while unemployed.
When you were fired from your last job.
Being fired from a position is certainly a red flag for hiring managers. Even if you were let go unfairly, they only see it as a warning sign that you potentially failed on the job.
To overcome this stumbling block, you need to prepare yourself to talk about it during the job interview. When you do, don’t concentrate extensively on why you got fired; instead, talk about what you learned from the experience and how it can benefit a prospective employer in the future. Be sure to practice your response so you feel confident delivering it.
Your employment history has lots of holes.
If you’re a job jumper and have many periods of unemployment on your resume, then managers are certainly going to think twice about hiring you. And it’s no wonder. Their worst nightmare is to hire a candidate, only to have them leave after a few short weeks or months.
To alleviate their fears, you need to be ready to talk about your spotty employment history in both your cover letter and in the job interview. For instance, if you needed to take time off from work to care for a sick relative, then explain that in your cover letter. Otherwise, hiring managers will think the worst…and you won’t get the job.
If you need more help dealing with a scary job history, call Stewart Staffing. As one of Central Connecticut’s top employment agencies, we can help you craft a strong resume, prepare for interviews, and search for opportunities that are a great fit for you. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started…and get a new job!
