Anna R. on July 11, 2017
Image/Professionalism
Hello,
I'm currently battling Stage 3 cancer but looking to go back to work in the fall (I was forced onto medical leave due to environmental risk factors and job was not protected due to not qualifying for FMLA). I am a second-career nurse (I worked previously in public health), and graduated in December 2015. Following graduation I worked for 3 months and a very well-regarded hospital, however had an absolutely horrible experience where my clinic manager threatened to "ruin my career" (I actually attempted to file a harassment suit against him but was told he was tenured and protected), and I quit the position after 3 months and then started a new job in September only to be dx with cancer in February and have to go on medical leave. My most recent job would provide a great reference, I believe.
So...in nursing, the more months of experience the better, however if I do include the previous job I quit (and assume they only call HR and never the manager) it will look like I was at one job for 3 months, left, than another job for 5 months and left....which is worse? Gaps, spotty resume or lack of experience?
HELP!
Thank you!
Anna Rappaport
7 Comments
Julie Jansen
Jul 14, 2017
Career Coach Comment:
Hi Anna,
I know that you wrote to us back in March and am sorry that you are still struggling. It is difficult for me to decide which obstacle is greater in your case so let's run through each scenario to help you to make the right decision.
If you take off both nursing jobs, then you would be viewed as entry level and would still have to address what you have been doing since you graduated in December 2015. You would also need to feel sure that it would be impossible for a new employer to learn that you actually do have work experience.
If you leave both short-term jobs on your resume, then you will likely be questioned about why you left each position. You can definitely say that the fit was poor with your three-month job rather than saying anything negative about your clinic manager. You can then say that unfortunately you had a family situation or even a health situation that forced you to leave your second nursing job because you couldn't handle both. You would need to practice your responses with family or friends and feel comfortable.
If you leave just one of the jobs on your resume, such as the five-month job, then you still need to feel comfortable with the reason you left and you will have gaps on your resume. In my opinion, so many people have gaps and I don't think that these are as problematic to employers as you may think. So I probably vote for this option however this is your career and life and you need to feel secure about your positioning.
Please write back if you have any additional questions.
Take care,
Julie
Anna R.
Jul 14, 2017
Hi Julie,
Sorry-when you say "I'd vote for this option" do you mean leave BOTH jobs on there or just the one? I know from this last job when they ran a background check they did find the first job but HR never communicated this to any of my supervisors. Also please note I sent you an email:) Thank you so much for your help!
Anna Rappaport
Julie Jansen
Jul 14, 2017
Career Coach Comment:
Hmm Anna, That changes things. You're right that a background check would uncover both jobs. So I change what I said earlier. I would leave both jobs on your resume and then just make sure you know exactly how you would respond when asked "why did you leave this job?"
Take care,
Julie
Anna R.
Jul 26, 2017
Can you really just say "it wasn't a good fit"? I would think that would sound horrible. I have an interview and I'm worried they're going to want to know why I won't let them call that job as a reference...what do I do???
Julie Jansen
Jul 27, 2017
Career Coach Comment:
Anna,
I think saying it wasn't a good fit is the safest answer with some kind of reason why that isn't overally revealing or critical. I am not sure that you should say that you don't want them to be called for a reference because that would raise more red flags. Hopefully, they will follow their internal HR policy which is typically that they can only provide your dates of employment.
Take care,
Julie
Anna R.
Jul 27, 2017
Apologies I keep asking follow up questions...but I still don't understand how to say "it wasn't a good fit" without sounding bad? The job I'm interviewing for requires skills that are skills I only used in this job that I don't want them calling my manager...so I would be surprised if they wouldn't want to call them even though I've had another job since then that will give me a positive reference. Any strategies on this? I will only give them the number to HR but I could see them wanting to talk to my manager there because the job duties/skills are relevant... I almost think it might be better to just start my 'family medical emergency" earlier as reason for leaving? I can't see how I could say it wasn't a good fit-and the two positions having similarities being anything but damaging....Help!
Julie Jansen
Jul 27, 2017
Career Coach Comment:
Anna,
I am going to suggest that we talk on the phone. Can you possibly send me an email at julie@juliejansen.net so we can schedule a call?
Thanks,
Julie
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