Disclosing Short Job on Resume Forum

[MonsterTRM]

I'm a 4th year associate at a large law firm in a secondary city in a transactional practice. I've been at the same firm the entire time, except for a stint at a V10 for 1.5 months during my second year. I had a terrible experience, realized I had made a mistake, and bounced back to the old job (where I'm at now). Despite long hours at times, it's a much better fit for me personally and professionally, and I generally enjoy the work.

Recently, I was asked to submit a resume for a really interesting in-house gig at a foundation/think tank. Although I'm not clamoring to get out of my current role again, I would like to see what else is out there. They have asked me for a current resume.

My question is, do I put down both firms and just be prepared to explain what happened, or do I omit the V10 from my resume, but disclose on the background check?

[nixy]

It's up to you. If there's some reason why you think the short-term job would help you, you certainly can put it on the resume. There's nothing that obligates you to do so. You'd still definitely need to disclose it for the conflicts check.

[MonsterTRM]

My other concern is dates on the resume. Am I being dishonest if I state that I've been at my current job from "September 2015 - Present" versus "September 2015 - June 2017; July 2017 - Present?"

Not sure that adding the V10 does much since it was such a short time, but I think it helps show the employment timeline if I need to put down "September 2015 - June 2017; July 2017 - Present" for my current gig.

[lawfan2012]

I agree that the dates make this tough. I think saying “Sept 2015 to the present” is inaccurate and different than just leaving something off.

[QContinuum]

My other concern is dates on the resume. Am I being dishonest if I state that I've been at my current job from "September 2015 - Present" versus "September 2015 - June 2017; July 2017 - Present?"

Not sure that adding the V10 does much since it was such a short time, but I think it helps show the employment timeline if I need to put down "September 2015 - June 2017; July 2017 - Present" for my current gig.

Yes, "Sept. 2015 - present" would be inaccurate and misleading, because it indicates an uninterrupted tenure.

List "Sept. 2015-Jun. 2017; Jul. 2017-present." And feel free to leave off the other job. Certainly disclose it at the conflicts check stage, but at the resume/interview stage you're under no obligation to disclose it if you aren't asked. Resumes are not expected to be comprehensive or a neutral, evenhanded recounting of both your strengths and your weaknesses. To the contrary, they're expected to be a curated document tailored to showcase your strengths for a particular job opportunity. (Obviously, if you do get asked about the one-month "gap," then you should be truthful and direct - don't lie. But you don't need to bring it up proactively if you aren't asked.)