Posted on 06/21/2006 by the cynic
Viewed: 536 times
I'm going through a lot of interviews where they have you fill out an application and list all of your previous employers for the last 10 years, including summer jobs and volunteer work.
At my age, that means putting down things like McDonalds that I did over the summer in late high school, plus my college work-study job and job at the video store. And they are asking for previous salaries, supervisors' names (most are long gone), and phone numbers. I can see this if your'e an older worker and have been at the same job or 2 for 10 years, but for a younger worker, it almost makes you look worse, and is just a pain.
Anyone else experienced this? What is it for? is it for background check purposes, and if so, can't they just stick with the "past 7 years addresses" thing? (One company makes you do both).
POST A COMMENTthe cynic(06/22/2006)
Yeah, this last one was a doozy. They said, "Writing 'See Resume' or 'Available on Request' is completely unacceptable. If you need more space, write on the back. 110% of this will be checked." I hope I don't get an an anal interviewer who's like, "Whydja change jaaaaabs so often?" Uhh, maybe because I was in high school/college? :-) They also want phone numbers for the entire history. Who is going to remember me from 1997? I'm afraid they'll deny knowing me, and then I won't pass the screening. Do I have to call and follow up on every single one in that case ("Hi, I've been out of touch 10 years, but remember me? Yes, y name was this back then...") I hope not.
the cynic(06/22/2006)
Also, what about when they want a phone number but that manager is long gone? Is it okay to put "No" where it says "May we contact?" I always thought that meant you have something to hide.
vanilla ginger(06/22/2006)
Phone numbers that far back? Wouldn't half of them be disconnected by now?
the cynic(06/22/2006)
Well no, since the businesses are still in existence. I'm just thinking that most of the managers have probably left.
M. in Wisconsin(06/22/2006)
I have left jobs to (1) get married (2) move when my husband was transferred and (3) get downsized — all legitmate reasons. In a city, no one would care. In a small town, employers are weirded out by this.
the cynic(06/22/2006)
Wisconsin--True, but don't think they aren't weirded out in big cities either. I've been accused, in NYC, of "job hopping" because I had a college internship followed by a temp job, for not having a permanent job by a proscribed age, and for taking a job at Blockbuster for 3 months over a summer.
BoneyardDiva (06/21/2006)
I've seen 7 years most of the time. There were a couple asking for 10 yrs, but seriously, you put what you can on there...
twiz (06/22/2006)
I can never remember all the locations and contact information they ask for. I just put "available upon request" so they know I will look it up if needed. Some companies are really big on background checks. They want to make sure your history is clean.
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