how to explain several short-term positions

bilch

Soon I will (probably) have 4 jobs on my CV for this year.

1st one I left voluntarily so that's explainable, 2nd i left before i was pushed, 3rd was a temp position so that's explainable, and the 4th I am likely to be pushed.

I am extremely worried that there's going to be 2 jobs on my CV where I have effectively failed.

I don't want to lie on my CV, and fully intend to keep my full employment history on there. I have reasons why the jobs did not work out, but feel these are mostly lame excuses and no prospective employer will take seriously.

I'm hopeful that the recruitment agency that got me the temp position will still be interested. As far as I know, they got a glowing report from the employer.

All my jobs have been in a similar line of work. Do i now look for something completely different, and say I fancy a career change? Do I look at minimum wage positions and hope to get a chance to impress?

My CV was reasonably decent up until this year, and I feel like in 2011 I have completely screwed my chances of a decent career. There's a few reasons for this, mainly bad decisions outside of work that have affected my working life.

Anyone got any advice?

Mistral001

There is an old saying: "the longer the explanation the bigger the lie".

Thus keep any explanations short.

DVardysShadow

Well presumably, you had the foresight to know that 2011 was going to be a difficult year, so you planned your work accordingly. And so far you have not been pushed. This may offer a coherent narrative.

bilch

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Well presumably, you had the foresight to know that 2011 was going to be a difficult year, so you planned your work accordingly. And so far you have not been pushed. This may offer a coherent narrative.

Not sure what you mean by this.

Horace

2011 is a difficult year for everybody, the recession is really biting.

If the jobs have lasted a matter of months then I would say that they were short term contracts.

dandelionclock30

Yeah, short term contracts and you enjoy variety because its stimulating,working in different areas with different people etc.

bilch

Horace wrote: »

2011 is a difficult year for everybody, the recession is really biting.

If the jobs have lasted a matter of months then I would say that they were short term contracts.

That's a possibility. But that involves some cooperation from my employer if I need to use them as a reference. I might be able to negotiate it if I quit. I think they might prefer if I just walked away rather than continue to cause them aggro. Not sure if they'd effectively lie on my behalf though, as I probably don't deserve any favours from them.

Anyway, my current employer has given me a chance to turn things round. Hopefully in a few weeks all these problems will be behind me, and I'll be able to laugh at how stupid I've been.