Poor employment history

Ruth200

For about 8 years from leaving school I was a bad employee, I did numerous jobs, for short periods of time- ranging from a couple of days to a couple of months, my attendance was poor, I never really stuck at anything and had long periods of unemployment between jobs.

In a light-bulb moment I realised things needed to change, I got a temporary job and completely changed my ways in the 4 months of my contract, at the end of the contract the company let all temp staff go.
After a few months of job hunting I found my current job, where I've now been for 5 years, again I have kept to excellent attendence and am (in my bosses words) "an exemplary employee"

Whilst I had my personal reasons for never sticking with a job in the past I really regret what I did, both my most recent jobs never asked for much/any employment, so my past was never a problem.
Now I want to move on to a new job and each application fills me with dread, because when am I supposed to put for employment history?
I do want to be completely honest but I also don't want to scupper any chances.

Any advice?

Alter_ego

If you really want to be completely honest, do so.
I would cover the period in question by putting -"Various temporary/short term jobs" on the application, then being prepared to explain more at interview if asked.

Gavin83

Personally I'd respect someone who could say "I messed up but I grew up and believe I've shown my commitment as an adult in the length of time Ive been at my current job." Its one of them things that could go either way though so the suggestion from the previous poster sounds best. I wouldn't stress about it too much though.

dancingfairy

If it's cv based (as opposed to application based) then you can submit whatever format cv you want. You may find that a skills based cv or some other cv works best, rather than listing your jobs nearer the top. If you google skills cv or have a look on the national careers website you should be able to get an idea of different formats of cv (some of which my make your history less of an issue).
Also if you are applying speculatively for jobs you can use your own cv format so this may work better for you.
5 years in the current job would also imply that whatever the problem was it was no longer an issue. How far back do you need to go anyway?
df

Polarbeary

All jobs I have gone for (finance) have asked for 3 years of referencing only, you could put short term contracts/temping for your previous roles. If you have been there 5 years I really wouldn't worry.

It's if you are applying for sensitive government jobs requiring security vetting they will want to go back 10 years +