Your resume is your chance to persuade a hiring manager to call you for an interview. But what if you have a potential liability on it – namely, a short-term job? You want to be honest and transparent. At the same time, you don’t want to scare off a hiring manager and lose out on a great opportunity. What should you do?

It really depends on your unique situation. You have a limited amount of space, so it’s certainly a decision that’s important to weigh. To help you in the process, the resume writing service team at ResumeSpice offer a look at the pros and cons:

The case for removing the job:

If you only held the job for a few weeks or a couple months, then including it will make the hiring manager wonder whether or not you’re a job hopper. With hundreds of applicants for most openings, this can clearly be a threat to your candidacy. It’s therefore worth leaving off, especially if it’s not particularly relevant. Plus, if it won’t cause a big employment gap – and a red flag for potential employers – then removing it can actually be an advantage.

The case for keeping the job:

There are times when you can or must include the job. For instance, that’s the case when a posting asks for a complete list of every position or you’re applying for a role that would require some kind of security clearance. In addition, if you did gain any relevant skills or accomplish something important in the role, then you should consider keeping it. This can often offset the fact that your tenure was short-term, which is something you should be prepared to address in an interview.

Keep in mind: your resume is not a contract. You should always be honest and follow the instructions of the job posting precisely. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to list every job.

Instead, with your resume, you’re marketing yourself to potential employers. To do that, you want to put your best foot forward. If keeping a short-term job on it sabotages that effort, then eliminate it and focus on the relevant information that does show just what you can do.

Interested in professional resume writing help?
Turn to the resume writing service specialists at ResumeSpice. Whether you need an entry-level resume or an executive one, we can assist with all levels, delivering quality work, quickly and affordably. Call us today at 832.930.7378 to learn more or get started.