Accuracy of work record on CV

[IanIan]

Lets say I've had a client for whom I've been working for for a number of years. I've done small jobs for them now and again throughout that time but the majority of the main work for them has been for a month or so each year.

Is it dishonest to just say on one's CV that one has worked for this company from the date that one first worked for them until the present? If one were to do this, would the implication be that one has worked for them full time throughout that period or does the fact that one is a contractor suggest at least the possibility an on/off relationship? What would be a more accurate way of expressing one's working history with this company in this situation?

[quackhandle]

Just be honest and state that you have worked there on and off and add up how many weeks/months you have contracted for.

TBH, I'd state that any potential client(s) would interested in what you did at that client rather than how long for. In my CV have a line next to client name stating how long the initial contract was for, then list any extensions if applicable. Makes it clear to agents/client that I am working on my own account as a contractor.

qh

[Sockpuppet]

Lets say I've had a client for whom I've been working for for a number of years. I've done small jobs for them now and again throughout that time but the majority of the main work for them has been for a month or so each year.

Is it dishonest to just say on one's CV that one has worked for this company from the date that one first worked for them until the present? If one were to do this, would the implication be that one has worked for them full time throughout that period or does the fact that one is a contractor suggest at least the possibility an on/off relationship? What would be a more accurate way of expressing one's working history with this company in this situation?

I do this. But I make it clear that is a ad-hoc role over multiple projects in the wording.

I've got a few clients I've worked with say 1 day a week and a few 3 month full timers over the past few years and the date all run concurrently. Most agents get it, some don't.

[IanIan]

OK I will be more precise. You see I did exactly what I described after not doing much else for about three years. Seemed like a good idea at the time as a way of avoiding having to explain a sketchy work history but I guess it does amount to not being honest on one's CV.

[cojak]

I do this. But I make it clear that is a ad-hoc role over multiple projects in the wording.

I've got a few clients I've worked with say 1 day a week and a few 3 month full timers over the past few years and the date all run concurrently. Most agents get it, some don't.

WSPS

I used to work for HP like that.

[cojak]

OK I will be more precise. You see I did exactly what I described after not doing much else for about three years. Seemed like a good idea at the time as a way of avoiding having to explain a sketchy work history but I guess it does amount to not being honest on one's CV.

Ah. That's different.

I'd pull that CV ASAP and post another that more accurately reflects what you've been doing.

Else you'll fall flat on your arse the moment anyone asks for references (which is common these days, no matter what the 'I've never been asked' brigade say).

[northernladuk]

OK I will be more precise. You see I did exactly what I described after not doing much else for about three years. Seemed like a good idea at the time as a way of avoiding having to explain a sketchy work history but I guess it does amount to not being honest on one's CV.

Your question has kinda gone from how do you demonstrate a fairly common working practice to how to falsify long gaps on your CV.

One is acceptable, the other is fraud.

Hope you are little more clear on your CV than you are asking questions about your situation

and.. WCS..

[IanIan]

Your question has kinda gone from how do you demonstrate a fairly common working practice to how to falsify long gaps on your CV.

The point of the first question was to determine whether some fraudulent behavior had possibly taken place. If the way I'd presented the working relationship on my CV had been normal then I'd have simply received the added bonus of hiding a gap on my CV.

I think that was my intention at the time - to get to hide a gap on my CV without needing to tell a lie. (I did work for this company over the period stated on my CV and they would corroborate this.) However it appears that I was wearing rose tinted glasses.

[theroyale]

The point of the first question was to determine whether some fraudulent behavior had possibly taken place. If the way I'd presented the working relationship on my CV had been normal then I'd have simply received the added bonus of hiding a gap on my CV.

I think that was my intention at the time - to get to hide a gap on my CV without needing to tell a lie. (I did work for this company over the period stated on my CV and they would corroborate this.) However it appears that I was wearing rose tinted glasses.

I've asked a similar question on these forums once.

You could take the risk of stating on your CV the company's name, then your start date of working with them, followed by the last date you worked with them. And let others (agents, potential recruiters) make what they will of it.

But if they ask you about it - even innocently, as in, "Ah so you worked for XYZ Ltd for x years" - then you might find yourself having to clarify your exact working situation there (otherwise you'd be lying). The reaction to your answer could be either (a) they're not ruffled by it, i.e. they understand contractors to have just this sort of on-and-off work relationship with clients, and they move on. Or (b) they expected you to say it was full-time work over this period, in which case you might then come across as attempting to cover up. At this point they either (b1) leave it at that, or (b2) say something like "So what this really means is you only have x months of experience when my initial impression was that it was x years!

Whether you want to take the risk of the (b) route popping up in conversations/interviews is up to you. But in my opinion simply stating XYD Ltd, January 2000 - January 2007 is not lying. You're simply stating the facts on your CV in the accepted Company Name - Start Date - End Date format.

[BlasterBates]

Make sure your CV is accurate. Many companies are now checking up and it´s an automatic dismissal if you´re caught lying.