can't remember employment history dates!

pestcontrol

Hi,

I can't remember the years, let alone the months, when I've worked in various companies dating back to 1988. My work files went missing in a house move around 7 years ago. I've had quite a few jobs since then & have never needed to write a CV. I urgently need to write a CV as I urgently need a job. HMRC only have info dating back to 2009. Does anybody know if there's any way I can find out the dates please?

I know that to some this may sound ridiculous, but I have real memory issues.

Many thanks!!

Mrs_Soup

That long ago I woould just do a best guess with the year and leave out the months. More recently be more accurate. I have the same problem with salary - no idea what I was earning in my first job in 1984 but it would be meaningless now anyway. They are not going to ask for references from nearly 30 years ago.

TBagpuss

Unless there is a very industry-specific requirement for such a detailed breakdown, I don't think you need to go into as much detail as that.

I have been looking a t a lot of CVs recently and lots will have the last couple of jobs in detail, and then will have a more general bit . The previous jobs part of your CV is an opportunity to show what experience and skills you have.

If you had lots of diferent jobs, then listing them all might even be a negative, if it looks as though you were constrnatly moving around and didn't stick to anything.

I would put the most recent couple, say something like 'further details of job history available if required' and/or 'various other jobs including 10 years as branch manager at Bloggs and Co" and focus on the earlier part of the CV setting out your specific skills , strengths and weaknesses. You can mention job experience in this section if you want

(For instance "I am good at adapting to changing requirements,during my 10 years at Bloggs & Co I successfully made the move from manual to completely computerised stock control, and several changed in my key role including a move from shop floor to front of house" (or whatever is appropriate) )

Good Luck

TBagpuss

PS - another option is to list the jobs with approx. time you were in them - e.g Bloggs & C0 (10 years)
Smith Bros (3 years)

pestcontrol

Hi both,

Thanks very much for taking the time to get back to me, I really appreciate it!

In my industry it's really common for people to move around & not seen negatively. I had my own companies for 5-6 yrs, took 4-5 yrs out to look after my baby/son, & have been freelancing for the last 3 yrs. The jobs before all this are important (some really important) for my CV. I don't want to be seen to be misleading anyone by putting the wrong years, but maybe I'll have no option but to hazard a guess!

Many thanks!!

pestcontrol

TBagpuss wrote: »

PS - another option is to list the jobs with approx. time you were in them - e.g Bloggs & C0 (10 years)
Smith Bros (3 years)

That's a good idea! Thank you!!

CCFC_80

Wouldn't worry about it. Interesting that HMRC records only go back 5 years. Not suggesting it but anyone could make up a job they had at a pretend company before this time and noone would know about it on a CV.

JKSandy

I only list my last five years worked, I definitely wouldn't list more than 10 years work history (unless one of my previous jobs overlapped the time scale).

agrinnall

I'd only put the year for previous jobs on a CV. More difficult is application forms, some of which require month and some even the day. For older jobs I just take a guess at month and day, as the first three companies I worked for (1981 - 1991) either no longer exist or have changed ownership so I think it's practically impossible for anyone to check.

noelphobic

I don't think it's necessary to list every job you've ever had, unless you are specifically asked to. Some people have been working for 40+ years and what they were doing when they were 16 wouldn't be seen as relevant normally. I have put my job history back to 1990 but that is only because I worked for the same organisation for 23 years! I haven't listed anything prior to that.

J_i_m

Depends on who you are and how long your work history is.

Personally I've chosen to acknowledge my whole work history on my CV. But I'm not even 40 years old yet let alone worked for 40 years.

I've taken my previous three roles (because they are more relevant), and made sure that all the key detail is correct, i.e. name of employer, job title, period of employment. (You can always contact HR for that information). And I've then expanded on the key responsibilities. To show my transferrable skills.

The further back you go into your work history, then the less relevant it becomes. For example.. if you worked in a warehouse and drove forklift trucks when you were 19, but are now in your 30's and applying for an admin job, then they don't need to know about the forklift truck driving but to show that I was in employment before my more recent roles and not simply ide, I have bullet point listed them underneath the heading "Early career" but not expanded upon the key responsibilities.