How far to go back with employment history on application?

rosie383

I am filling out various application forms. How far do I need to go back with my employment history? I left school in 1985 and have had various jobs since then and it is so time-consuming filling in all of the details.
Is my temporary employment as a cleaner for a couple of months in 1985 really relevant?
How much detail is needed? I have no idea about telephone numbers and even addresses for some of the places which no longer exist today.
Equally I can't remember my line managers' names etc. More recent employment history is fine, it is all of the long ago jobs that are difficult!

Ozzuk

People often look for gaps, for early jobs I just list job title/location and the rough months. You can always expand if asked.

rosie383

Good advice Ozzuk. I was worrying about putting anything down that wasn't factually correct but for the life of me I can't remember some of it. I suppose it is very unlikely that an employer will delve too deeply into jobs from thirty years ago.

Own_Worst_Enermy

How far are the application forms asking you to go back rosie?


I always thought it was 10 years to go back, but a recent online application form to a housing association type with the last 2.5 years was enough to get me an interview offering. My history is quite enough to send any application receiver dizzy over last couple of years never mind 20!


Paper forms I'd be a little more cautious possibly.
I've noticed with online forms some are starting to only have 'accommodation' for last 5 employers.

rosie383

OWE The ones I have been doing today don't specify any number of years and seem to have an endless supply of 'add another employer' boxes. The problem is partly that I am applying for a few jobs in the healthcare sector and I did my initial nurse training in 1986 and had various jobs since which would be relevant to a degree.

BTW, if anyone reading this has done the Return to Professional Practice Course recently I'd love to hear how you found it and whether you think it is worth doing. I'm thinking of going back to nursing as one possibility. Or if anyone has a link to a relevant thread please.

Own_Worst_Enermy

Ah - apologies I can understand why then if it's care work.

My first care job did require me to confirm every job since leaving of school years.

AndyBSG

On my CV as a general rule I list my last 3 jobs and add extra jobs in if those last 3 don't cover a 10 year period.

Then I simply have a statement saying 'Full career history available on request'

HappyMJ

rosie383 wrote: »

I am filling out various application forms. How far do I need to go back with my employment history? I left school in 1985 and have had various jobs since then and it is so time-consuming filling in all of the details.
Is my temporary employment as a cleaner for a couple of months in 1985 really relevant?
How much detail is needed? I have no idea about telephone numbers and even addresses for some of the places which no longer exist today.
Equally I can't remember my line managers' names etc. More recent employment history is fine, it is all of the long ago jobs that are difficult!

My memory is poor. I can hardly remember who I worked for 10 years ago let alone 30 years ago.

I put down about 5 years maybe up to 10 years worth of employment history. Anything older is pointless. It'll either be some junior position which doesn't need mentioning or the information cannot be verified as the company has gone or the managers/owners have all moved on.

vegasvisitor

I was recently told 10 years too. Start of CV should be some personal information (name, address, contact details etc), followed by a personal statement. Then employment history going back 10 years (most recent first). Then education (most recent first). Then some additional information. This is what I have been told recently.

SailorSam

I was in the JobCentre last week with a guy who wanted me to do a new CV with more details on it. I asked him at 62yrs old is it really worth me talking about experience and qualifications i'd got in my 20s. I said to him that i'd read any prospective employer wouldn't want to know much more than what i'd been doing the last 5yrs. He said i may aswell leave the Cv as it is.

Mersey_2

5 years is all they'll check for references. Of course for care work they should also carry out an enhanced/full DBS.