Free Career and Job Search Advice

[Katkeyper]

I left a manager position after 4.5 years to be the Director of Marketing and Public Relations at a start-up company. They realized issues with Medicare billing (how they were paid) and had to cut my new department in less than 30 days after I came on board.

As with all gaps in my employment, I cover myself with my freelance/consulting firm to show I'm constantly employed (and yes, I normally do get SOME work)....as a result, is it necessary to mention the 30 day job at all?

Pro - I made $8K more in salary, plus would make an additional $300/mo towards health benefits (it would not be deducted)...and obtained a greater position - which could help me with salary negotiations and level of responsibility with a new employer.

Con - being glossed by potential employers if they think I was fired in 30 days...or do not mention being laid off in my cover letter.

Con- Potential could employer feel I left the 4.5 year company because I got fired...or to pursue my own company...which could be a red flag - who wants to hire someone that will take off to do their own thing.

Other than contract work, my only job bite in months found me "overqualified" - and I've sent TONS of resumes to employers where their job descriptions read as a copy of my resume - and no bites. After I get your input from above, I plan to send my resume for review!

Thanks!

[sweet_life]

I do believe the reason for which you have been laid off makes no potential threat to your future hiring possibilities. After all, you were not fired for being an incompetent employee, but your department was cut off, so, nothing which was related directly to you.
As far as I know, if you were hired with papers, it is still considered an occupied post, and you should mention it in your work history.

[Katkeyper]

Thank you, I had felt it was something an HR dept. would find necessary, but friends had different opinions.

I appreciate your input!

[Katja144]

You might ask the company you worked for. When I started my job, they told me that if I left before 30 days were up--due to my prerogative or theirs--I would not be in the record as having worked there (which meant if I decided I hated it, or got fired, future employers would not hear about it. Very nice). So technically I think even if I had done so and then listed them on my resume, if a potential employer called HR, they may've been told I never worked there (though possibly not).

See if your company has a similar policy. If so, perhaps they would allow you to make a choice about whether you're in their records or not?

Unfortunately, while many job applications ask you why you left each job you list under your experience, resumes don't state that information, so until they ask you or call these former employers, potential employers don't know why you left. This can be seen as good or bad, depending on why you are no longer in a certain position.

[dorothea]

Ahz...I'm so mad I didn't think about that myself LOL....I would have resigned and wouldn't have had any problem whatsoever.....Mrrrrrr...so mad, so mad. I remember now, it is true, you're not employed with papers before 30 days are gone since you have started working so nah....don't even bother mentioning it in your resume. What for? To bother yourself after to give all kinda explanations to the next employers?