Resumes and Job Applications

[KrillBee]

I have graduated college now, and am looking for a job in computer tech support.
But I dont know how to best fill out an application if I've been fired before.

I worked for 2.25 years for my campus IT helpdesk. I worked in 2 different areas under 2 different bosses. the 2nd boss fired me for accidently busting a computer that i was performing an unauthorized experiment on. I know I made a mistake, and I never will do anything like that again.

But... I dont want this to hold me back from getting an IT job in the future. My boss who fired me, told me he wouldnt outright mention i was fired if a prospective employer called. But if they ask, then who knows, he may tell them.

So whats the best way of working around this mess? Only list the first boss and job? List the 2nd, but fill in some BS under the "reason for leaving" on the app? Outright tell them I was once fired?

What if they ask on the app if I was fired previously, and to explain circumstances?

 

[AlgaeEater]

Don't lie on a career, ever.

Things like this get you in a career. Sometimes you're around the chopping block and little details like this can get you fired from your job. It all depends on your future employer, but just do things the right way and fly strait. I would word it as creatively as I can, put as much spin on it as you can, but ultimately you got fired and you just have to admit that.

Saying "I was let go due to improper safety protocol" is not a lie, it's spin and is 100 times better than "I was never fired on my job"

 

[amdforever2]

I have never admitted to a termination.

 

[YoYoBabyYo]

Well, at least you got fired for busting a computer and not for slacking off or lack of punctuality.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: AlgaeEater
Don't lie on a career, ever.

Things like this get you in a career. Sometimes you're around the chopping block and little details like this can get you fired from your job. It all depends on your future employer, but just do things the right way and fly strait. I would word it as creatively as I can, put as much spin on it as you can, but ultimately you got fired and you just have to admit that.

Saying "I was let go due to improper safety protocol" is not a lie, it's spin and is 100 times better than "I was never fired on my job"

around the chopping block, what do you mean?
And are there legal consequences to omitting things on your app? or lying on your app?

If they ask me the question on the app, "have you been fired ever" I will say yes and put a spin on it.

But if they ask me to list my work history, job dates, and "reason for leaving job" I'm thinking I just wont put anything down under "reason for leaving" Or maybe put something there like "wasnt getting along with my boss" or something.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: YoYoBabyYo
Well, at least you got fired for busting a computer and not for slacking off or lack of punctuality.

i would have rather been fired for punctuality No one wants to hire a person who they think may be a liability to their equipment.

 

[Stuxnet]

I would just leave the 2nd phase of your employment there off your resume and job application. That's SOP for handling getting fired, unless it creates a suspicious gap in employment. But, given that you were in school, gaps like that won't raise any suspicion at all.

It doesn't need to become an obstacle on your career path. Just be thankful that it happened during a non-critical period in your life and learn from it.

 

[AlgaeEater]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: AlgaeEater
Don't lie on a career, ever.

Things like this get you in a career. Sometimes you're around the chopping block and little details like this can get you fired from your job. It all depends on your future employer, but just do things the right way and fly strait. I would word it as creatively as I can, put as much spin on it as you can, but ultimately you got fired and you just have to admit that.

Saying "I was let go due to improper safety protocol" is not a lie, it's spin and is 100 times better than "I was never fired on my job"

around the chopping block, what do you mean?
And are there legal consequences to omitting things on your app? or lying on your app?

If they ask me the question on the app, "have you been fired ever" I will say yes and put a spin on it.

But if they ask me to list my work history, job dates, and "reason for leaving job" I'm thinking I just wont put anything down under "reason for leaving" Or maybe put something there like "wasnt getting along with my boss" or something.

It's not illegal to lie on your job application (Unless its in a security/government position), but it is easily grounds for termination. You can be an outstanding employee for 25 years and get promoted along the way up to higher corporate/management, but still be on easy grounds for termination if someone doesn't like you and ask Human Resources to dig around your file.

Chopping block is simply a term used when a company has to downsize and picks a group or department and must fire them. They do this selectively by first organizing you by job performance, and then technicalities (Such as lying on a job app)

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I have graduated college now, and am looking for a job in computer tech support.
But I dont know how to best fill out an application if I've been fired before.

I worked for 2.25 years for my campus IT helpdesk. I worked in 2 different areas under 2 different bosses. the 2nd boss fired me for accidently busting a computer that i was performing an unauthorized experiment on. I know I made a mistake, and I never will do anything like that again.

But... I dont want this to hold me back from getting an IT job in the future. My boss who fired me, told me he wouldnt outright mention i was fired if a prospective employer called. But if they ask, then who knows, he may tell them.

So whats the best way of working around this mess? Only list the first boss and job? List the 2nd, but fill in some BS under the "reason for leaving" on the app? Outright tell them I was once fired?

What if they ask on the app if I was fired previously, and to explain circumstances?

Why don't you call the boss that terminated you, and see if he would be willing to go easy on you and give you a reference. Most places won't go into details about employment anyways, in fear of lawsuits. Usually they'll just verify dates of employment. It still couldn't hurt to give him a call, however.