Gaps in employment and background checks

turtleparadise

Hi

This is my first post, please bear with me.

I'm after some advice, I'm currently unemployed after being asked to leave a job I'd been in for 2 months (I was bullied and when I raised it twice, I was marched out)

If i'm applying for jobs i'm unsure how to handle any gaps in employment

I was made redundant from a job that I worked in for 8 years in October 2016 and didn't get another job until January 2017 (I have my redundancy documents)

I then worked in a job for 3 months before the job I really wanted became availabie, I worked in this job for 2 months until I had an accident at work and couldn't continue, so I left in July 2017 and then went onto universal credit.

I didn't find another job until January 2018 where I worked for 9 months before moving into the job I was dismissed from.

How do I handle any gaps, I have my redundancy documents, but for the times I claimed Universal credit, how can I provie this.

The biggest issue is how to account for what i've been doing since November 2018, as I started the job I was now dismissed from which was 9th January and went back onto Universal credit, but not sure how to account for the gap between January and February, as although i'm on UC, I haven't had any payments due to receiving final pay end of January and won't receive money until March so won't have any payments to show as proof

I know some companies just ask for a couple of references (like my last 2 jobs) others do a full 5 year check

Any advice would be appreciated

Comms69

turtleparadise wrote: »

Hi

This is my first post, please bear with me.

I'm after some advice, I'm currently unemployed after being asked to leave a job I'd been in for 2 months (I was bullied and when I raised it twice, I was marched out) - That is why you keep your head down for the first 24 months

If i'm applying for jobs i'm unsure how to handle any gaps in employment

I was made redundant from a job that I worked in for 8 years in October 2016 and didn't get another job until January 2017 (I have my redundancy documents) - No issues there

I then worked in a job for 3 months before the job I really wanted became availabie - fine, I worked in this job for 2 months until I had an accident at work and couldn't continue, so I left in July 2017 and then went onto universal credit.

I didn't find another job until January 2018 where I worked for 9 months before moving into the job I was dismissed from. - no issues (except ofcourse dismissal)

How do I handle any gaps, I have my redundancy documents, but for the times I claimed Universal credit, how can I provie this. - prove what? It would be implied you claimed benefits

The biggest issue is how to account for what i've been doing since November 2018, as I started the job I was now dismissed from which was 9th January and went back onto Universal credit, but not sure how to account for the gap between January and February, as although i'm on UC, I haven't had any payments due to receiving final pay end of January and won't receive money until March so won't have any payments to show as proof - You wouldn't show these documents to an employer; they would assume you were looking for work and state subsidised

I know some companies just ask for a couple of references (like my last 2 jobs) others do a full 5 year check

Any advice would be appreciated

Sorry but I don't see the issue.


You had a long term job, then fluctuated a bit, but ultimately you've been working the majority of the time.


No issues as far as I can see

jonnygee2

Which sector are you in? Are you working in a sector that does background checks for regulatory reasons?

turtleparadise

Thanks for the replies so far

I normally work in Application and software support and have worked supporting software applications for banks and I know some companies want a full 5 years references

Re: the job I was dismissed from, I started in November and the job wasn't what it was made out to be, I struggled and admitted this as I wanted to do a good job and to stay there, but as the days went on, I was blanked, ignored by colleagues, I was talked about in the kitchen at work, at the Christmas party someone said they hated me and that I wouldn't last and they'd make sure of it.

I lost both my parents within a couple of months of each other, just before Christmas 2016 and I had a breakdown, so I struggle with Christmas not having any other family and I just withdrew into myself

I highlighted all my concerns again in January and was dismissed there and then, so I'm not sure what else I could have done

nicechap

How did you handle the gaps in your employment when you applied for the last job?

Nothing has changed, just you have one extra job to add into your experience.

Just be honest - if you make things up or avoid difficult things, it rarely reflects well on your application.

Good luck with your job hunt.

turtleparadise

Hiya

One of the gaps was explained by my being made redundant, providing the settlement agreement
The gap from 2017 I was on universal credit, so I never had to provide any proof or anything like that

This gap, I can explain January this year until I get a job, but it's the gap between leaving my previous job in Nov 2018 and getting dismissed from my last job on 9th Jan

I've applied for a few jobs where full checks are done, i've been offered jobs in the past where 2 references have been required

I guess the only thing I can say is that I put a claim in for Universal credit in November and it took til Jan to process it, as it does take 6 weeks, so i'll just have to go with that

Thanks for your time everyone

bugslet

As an employer, I'd account for the short term job from Nov '18 to Jan '19 as the job just not being a good fit with your skills, or not suiting. There isn't anything wrong with having the occasional short term job.

Dox

Don't go into long-winded and/or unnecessary detail. Keep things brief, factual and to the point - i.e. professional. Good luck with the job hunt.