Dear Cindy – Omitting Jobs From a Résumé

Is it lying to omit jobs that didn't work out from my résumé?

Sincerely,

Less is More?

That sort of thing didn't work with mom when you were a kid, nor does it work now. It's called "lying by omission." Just think about it.

Put the job on your résumé: Job Title X, Employer Y, Dates 1/04 to 2/04. Since it's there, it suggests you have nothing to hide, and if the potential employer even bothers to ask, you can explain the situation.

But suppose it's not there and they notice it: "Well, Less, I see that you have a gap in your employment here. Can you explain it?" Then you either have to tell an all-out lie and say you weren't working, or falsify the dates of the earlier job (both of which can blow up in your face), or you have to backtrack and explain you did have a job during that period, but blah, blah, blah …. It won't be pretty.

Also see Dear Cindy – Exaggerating on a Résumé.