Do You Have A Spot In Your Background?

A spot in your work history can be caused by a variety of things - some innocent and some accurate information, in addition to some genuine problems. In general, the best thing to do about a spot in your work history is to recognize and acknowledge it for what it was. If you have a longer than average absence from the workforce, that will cause a spot on your employment history. If you have changed jobs more frequently than average, that will cause a spot on your employment record. If you were fired, that may be a spot. There are many, many things that can cause a spot or blemish in your employment history. If you are, or will be, conducting a job search, you should prepare for how you will respond to questions about the spot in your employment history.

Keep in mind, although your resume does not have to include everything you have done in life - and the longer you have worked, the less likely that you would need to, but an employment application requires you to accurately list your complete employment history. In addition, you should be prepared to respond to questions about the blemish in your history in an employment interview. It is important to remember your best response is to be honest and straightforward as you explain briefly what happened. If appropriate, you may explain how things have changed so that the issue is no longer a problem or how it was eliminated, and return to the focus of the interview.

Many people find it helps to write out a response to possible questions about a problem area. The intent is not to memorize a statement, but to become comfortable with how you will explain what happened. It may help you to write out several possible responses to questions or try different responses on a tape recorder. You may not need to give a lot of details about what happened, but it is important to be able to respond to the questions of a potential employer in a direct manner. If you are uncomfortable with your response, it is more likely that they will be too. If you have a spot in your background, you may want to discuss your approach to it with a counselor who can help you sort it out and figure out an appropriate and comfortable approach to discussing the issue.


Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.

To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.