I recently found myself back to just one job (t...
I recently found myself back to just one job (thankfully, it's my main role). I was laid off from my second job three weeks ago, which has been tough. To give you some context: I lost my initial job (J0) in June 2023, but fortunately secured J1 and J2 between October 2023 and January 2024. Sadly, my time at J2 ended in November 2024 after nearly a year, though I did receive a one-month severance package that runs through the end of this month.
Now, I’m grappling with how to present my experience. Should I include J2 on my resume when applying for new roles? Also, does the gap from June 2023 to November 2024 stand out as a major red flag for hiring managers? I’ve been applying tirelessly for four months now but haven’t been able to secure a third job (J3). It’s incredibly frustrating!
I’d love some advice on how to optimize my resume and job search to get back to a stable place with multiple roles. How can I make myself stand out and get back on track? Which J should I show? Current employer ... or laid off employer?
EDIT: wrong year
6 Replies
Thread automatically created by Miyu in #🤔｜questions
metropolitan-bronze•2d ago
If you want to continue hiding your companies, use laid off employer. You choose to
1) forge the pay stubs from laid off employer to pretend you still work there or
2) portray the act of being unemployed .
Both options have their own pros and cons
flat-fuchsia•2d ago
My advice here. J1 never existed. You got laid off from J0. You spent some time in the beach before you found J2. Now you got laid off from J2 and you are looking for work again. (One trick. Send out an “old” resume that says you are still at J2. Correct them as soon as they ask. That gets around the unemployment stigma.)
Why hide J1? Because that will make you immune from any post hire check. If they do look after you start they will see that you genuinely left J2 when you said you did.
While your resume will say you were at J2 this year, don’t hide your experience and accomplishments at J1. Just say you did all that at J2 to the degree it’s credible.
Good luck. Be glad you are OE and losing J2 doesn’t mean you lost all your income.
unwilling-turquoise•2d ago
I froze literally everything, 4 different sites if I recall correctly, they can still find out I was laid off at J2?
I am thinking to do the following: Update the resume with (J2) my laid off position, apply rapidly to many jobs, and combine experience from J2 and J1 into my laid off J2 position - I don't want to get into the business of forging anything. Both Js did not ask for proof I was at J0 which was a major overseas tech company.
metropolitan-bronze•2d ago
Yeah then this strategy is ok
unwilling-turquoise•2d ago
Are there any other viable options? Any suggestions or tips in the resume? Keeping it to 3 bullet points, or should I have a longer 5-7 bullet points for the under a year laid off position.