Do I list irrelevant job history in my application/resume?

	Do I list irrelevant job history in my application/resume? So I have not worked in almost four years because I had a baby at a young age and decided to focus on college instead. Well now that my daughter will be starting preschool soon I am thinking of looking for a job in my related field. So I want to apply for a tutoring job and I only have one previous job that gave me that kind of experience. My question is do I still put down my other jobs which were retail (one for a company that doesn't exist anymore) or do I not even mention those in my application or resume as they are not relevant? Asked By: 👩 - 11/5/2012

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
If you read the advice that the recruiters usually give - they all say no, you don't need to put your irrelevant experience. Just don't consider every non-tutoring jobs to be irrelevant. For example, I work as a sales analyst right now, so when applying for jobs I didn't include my first job - McDonald's, my summer job working at a cafe etc. But I did include my administrative assistant jobs, because although it's not an analytical position, it's still somewhat relevant - working in the office, being on a team, and it shows that you actually worked and committed to an employer. You can specify in your resume by saying "relevant work experience", and then put "Other work experience", or you can only include your relevant experience and be ready to explain the gaps in your employment ( irrelevant jobs, maternity leaves etc). But you definitely don't nee to put every job you ever had on your resume. P.S. Although if you are filling out an online application and it is asking for your employment history - say your last 3 jobs, then you have to list your last 3 jobs whether they are relevant or not. Otherwise they might think you're hiding something. But your resume is your marketing tool, so feel free to exclude all minor jobs you've worked, and only include what's important to get a new job. Answered By: Happiest Girl - 11/5/2012

Additional Answers ()

There's no such thing as irrelevant job experience. Even if it's completely unrelated to the field that you're trying to get into, the fact that you took the initiative to work that job and your work skills in that job matter a lot. Put it down. It can't hurt, right? Answered By: Christian - 11/5/2012

Yes, you can put down any experience you have had. Although it may not be relevant to the job your are applying for many of the skills associated with those jobs are. You do not have to put the exact dates contrary to what most people believe. You can simply state from such and such a time I did this but the company no longer exists. It's okay to say that. Also, listing your experience as a mom is a bonus too. You can add that to your resume. Just list them as transferable skills. If you were in charge of the finances you can state that you were in charge of the family finances on your resume and highlight the transferable skills as “budgeting and entry-level bookkeeping skills.” List whatever experience and training you have as a tutor the most and concentrate on the skills associated with that on your resume. You can also incorporate transferable skills around that as well. List your college experience as well and how you were trained in certain areas. Practice interviewing so that you feel comfortable with any questions that come your way and most importantly be yourself. Many employers today don't want people that have had alot of work experience because they want to be able to train and mold employees fresh. I just had an interview where the employer told me that as she was interviewing me. She said she worried all my previous knowledge would interview with what I was going to do and that she would rather have someone that didn't have the particular background I had. I hope this helps. Have fun and make your resume fit to you and be proud of it. Answered By: Tiffany - 11/5/2012

No resume needed. fill out an application. It will ask what you did and so you'd need to do that in chronological order. it doesn't matter if it doesn't exist anymore. All they want to know is that you weren't in a hospital (other than having children) and weren't in jail during spaces in tim. Answered By: sophieb - 11/5/2012

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