Do you have to list a former employer that you got fired from?

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

I don't know if you're "required" to list every employer, but I think the question is: how would you explain a gap in your resume if you did leave that employer out?

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

You really should list it, especially if you worked there for years. Not listing it is obviously trying to cover something up, and that reflects more poorly on you than having been terminated.

nightnursecarol · Sep 28, 2011

It's your preference, let's say that you worked there for 5 years, then listing it will be of an advantage because you will receive more "experience pay".

If you had another position during that time span, was in school, or raising children/family, taking care of a sick parent, then that will fill in the gap, and the new job will undestand. However, you would not get the experience pay.

Usually former employers have enough class and are guarded about lawsuits, so they wouldn't reveal your termination. If you list it, make sure you put HR's # instead of your manager's phone #, and you'll say it is the company's policy not to provide info. on former employees, only managers can give reference on current employees (most jobs have that rule). HR should only confirm your position and dates. Also, for your sake, get a standard employee letter (title, dates employed, dept) call HR for it. If you reveal that you were fired, you will not get the position. If you list your terminated employer, It's better to say that you wanted a new experience that wasn't available at the organization. You are in control of what you put on your resume. Good luck!

CharleeJo.RN · Sep 29, 2011

Many potential employers do background checks and may do a credit check. A credit check includes a list of past employers, although not every place you've ever worked will probably show up - but if you were somewhere for that long, it probably would. Then you'd have to explain why you left it out.

I've been in the same situation as you, and I put the former employer on my resume. Actually, when my employer terminated me, she said "you don't even have to tell people you were fired. We can't release that information, so you can tell them it just wasn't a right fit for you here." That's exactly what I did, too. And I haven't had any issues - I've had nursing jobs since then, and I work at an amazing - and extremely picky - facility now. It's best to be as honest as you can without setting yourself up for failure. :)

ilove · Sep 29, 2011

Alright, you think with the state they would find out for state employment. Right? I mean I have a perdiem job to cover it up

elkpark · Sep 29, 2011

If you leave this job off your resume', or an employment application asks you to list all employment for the last X years and you omit that job, and a potential employer finds out (which does happen; it can turn up in a background or credit check, and, also, nursing is a pretty "small club" and people talk to each other), a lot of employers consider that to be a form of dishonesty that would eliminate you from consideration for a job. You need to consider whether that's a risk you want to take.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 29, 2011

Yes. They will see it on the background check anyway.

ilove · Sep 29, 2011

Oh i already applied for a state job should i just tell them if they call me tell them i want to be completely honest with them and i had this other job

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2011

If you are asked to list all employers for the last ...x... years -- that is what they expect you to do.

A standard background/credit check will very likely reveal this information anyway.

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2011

Alright, you think with the state they would find out for state employment. Right? I mean I have a perdiem job to cover it up

"cover it up"

Not the way to start out a new position ...

ilove · Sep 29, 2011

ok well if they call me i guess im just going to tell them that i actually want to be completely honest with them and that I have worked at antoher place. and i guess ill hope for the best ill tell them that i didnt list it because i actually didnt do what they said that caused me to be terminated. thats all true! and just hope for the best. when i apply for nursing homes should i just list that nursing home?