work history

[jlarocca]

I am working on my 10 year work history but I really don't have any idea of what sort of format it should be in. Any info would help. Thanks

 

[Rick1128]

First of all, the new employee background requirements will require more than that. Before I forgot, I would record my past addresses for the last ten years. More is better. If you are employed by an operator that has a government contract you might be required to give a more detailed information in that area. One operator I worked for required me to give all my employment history and address history to the begining of High School.

Personally, I use a generic employment application format. In job description I as detailed a description as I feel is necessary. Plus any notations about the current company status as required (out of business, etc).

The main reason I do it this way, is that it is a format familar with most employers. And they are comfortable with it. I keep mine on my computer and update it as required. For an interview, I bring at least one copy of it for the employer.

 

[bobbysamd]

Employment history

I would work backwards. Current or last employer at the top, then previous employer, and so on. Put down your job title, primary duties performed, and name and title of supervisor. If you left on a negative note, I'd list someone in the company who will speak positively about you. List accomplishments, such as promotions, achieving Gold Seal CFI status, employee of the month, etc.

I would not provide a reason for leaving the job unless it is requested because it might read poorly on paper, even if it was for a good reason. Let them ask you why you left a job(s) during the interview.

You also want to account for all of your time between jobs and try to list a contact who can vouch for those gaps.

This is also a time to gather LORs from each job, if you haven't done so already. Good, positive LORs just might obviate a prospective employer's need to call a former employer. The wrong person might answer the phone and not remember you, deny you ever worked there, or just plain badmouth you. Most employers these days will verify only dates of employment, position and salary, but ya never know what someone might say about you.

Hope that helps some more. Good luck with your job search.

 

[Rick1128]

Unfortunately, the new regs about background checks are going to require employers to call. No matter what you have for LOR's. Most do it already. This is for 121, 135 and airport ID's. Personally I believe that if you leave the reason for leaving blank, most employers will take that as you are hiding something. Since I normally don't give this information to a potential employer until the interview, I list the reason. If it is negative I note that I will discuss it. I know a very few people who have not been fired from at least one job.

It is true you want this list in reverse order. Newest last. Again, like a normal application format. I would expand your job description. But would not go too overboard. If it sounds like blowing your horn too loud, it could work in a negative manner. List any duties you were assigned if directly or indirectly aviation oriented. Most employers know military personnel will have duties like; Assisant Junior Enlisted Retention Officer, Assistant Social Disease, Junior Officer of the Day, Sargent of the Guard, etc. Really don't need to list those type of jobs/duties. Things like Assistant Maintenance Officer are good. If you wrote some of the companies MEL's, assisted in employee recruitment, managed a special project. These are positives. Periods of unemployment can be difficult to deal with. I personally keep a copy of business card of any one I deal with at the unemployment office. I also keep showing my face around whatever FBO is local, just so I have some names to list for the PRIA paperwork. Employers that are now out of business can be difficult to deal with. A copy of your 8410's usually works, but I also keep a list of people I worked with as a backup.

 

[Edward Summer]

RE: employment history

I did a an excel spreadsheet starting with the most current and then down the line. Save it on you computer and update it as time goes on.

I talked with two different HR people at two different 121 operators and they said LIST EVERY JOB the past 10 years no matter how short you worked there or how stupid the job was. If you had a bunch of jobs one year and can't remember, look at you past filed income tax - this'll get ya started.

 

[ACWild]

This might seem obvious, but make sure you get in contact with your previous employers. I never bothered to and for years I would make it to phase two on interviews and then get shot down. It turns out that one of my previous employers doesn't keep records of employees after five years. Nobody ever bothered to call me for more info during background checks.

 

[Rick1128]

Wild

That is one of the reasons I always keep a copy of my 8410's. And why I always ask for a letter of recommendation when I leave or change supervisors. Things like that and companies going out of business cause a lot of people problems like that.