Leaving Jobs Off Your Resume: Should You Do It?

Ever found yourself staring at your resume, wondering if you should leave off that job you hated, or the one that only lasted a few months? You’re not alone. In today’s job market, it’s a common dilemma. I’ve been there too—after moving from the Bay Area to Nashville, I had to reevaluate my own resume. So, let’s dive into the when, why, and how of leaving jobs off your resume.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of:

• Why you might want to leave jobs off your resume
• The potential risks and benefits
• How to decide what stays and what goes
• Alternatives to leaving jobs off

Why Leave Jobs Off Your Resume?

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to leave a job off your resume. Maybe it was a short-term gig that doesn’t add much value, or perhaps it was a toxic work environment you’d rather forget. Here are some common scenarios:

Irrelevant Experience

If a job doesn’t align with your career goals or the position you’re applying for, it might be best to leave it off. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing role, that summer you spent waiting tables might not be relevant.

Short-Term Positions

Jobs that lasted only a few months can raise eyebrows. Employers might worry that you’re a job-hopper, lacking commitment. If you have a good reason for the brief stint, like a contract role or temporary project, it might be worth including. But if not, consider leaving it off.

Negative Experiences

Toxic workplaces, bad managers, or roles that ended poorly can be red flags. If a job brings up negative feelings or you’re worried about a bad reference, it might be better to omit it. Just make sure the experience doesn’t leave a gap that’s hard to explain.

Career Pivots

Changing careers can be exciting, but your old jobs might not make sense on your new resume. If you’re transitioning from finance to graphic design, those accounting roles might not be relevant. Focus on the skills and experiences that align with your new career path.

Freelance or Contract Work

If you’ve done a lot of freelance or contract work, listing every single gig can make your resume look cluttered. Instead, consider grouping them under a single heading, like ‘Freelance Design Work,’ and highlight the most impressive projects or clients.

The Risks and Benefits

Leaving jobs off your resume can be a gamble. It can help streamline your resume and avoid awkward questions, but it can also create gaps that raise concerns. Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Benefits

• Tailored Resume: Focus on relevant experiences and skills.
• Avoid Red Flags: Sidestep conversations about short-term jobs or negative experiences.
• Simplify Your Story: Make your career narrative easier to follow.

Risks

• Resume Gaps: Large gaps can worry employers.
• Lack of Experience: Leaving off too many jobs can make you seem underqualified.
• Background Checks: If you’re asked to provide a complete work history, discrepancies could be a problem.

Is it worth it? It depends. In my case, leaving off a short-term job helped me land my current role at Chefsicon.com. But I’ve also seen friends struggle to explain resume gaps. Think carefully about your own situation.

Deciding What Stays and What Goes

So, how do you decide what to include? Here’s a step-by-step process to help you out:

Assess Relevance

Look at each job and ask, ‘Does this add value to my application?’ If it doesn’t, consider leaving it off. Remember, your resume is a marketing tool, not an autobiography.

Consider Duration

Short-term jobs can be a red flag, but not always. If you have a good reason for the brief stint (like a contract role), it might be worth including. But if not, consider leaving it off.

Think About Your Story

Your resume should tell a coherent story about your career. If a job doesn’t fit that narrative, it might be best to leave it off. Just make sure you can explain any resulting gaps.

Be Prepared to Explain Gaps

If leaving off a job creates a gap, be ready to explain it. You might have been traveling, caring for a family member, or taking classes. Whatever the reason, make sure it’s compelling and true.

Get a Second Opinion

Sometimes, we’re too close to our own experiences to make clear decisions. Ask a friend, mentor, or career coach for their input. They might see things from a different perspective.

Alternatives to Leaving Jobs Off

If you’re unsure about leaving jobs off, there are other ways to handle tricky situations:

Use a Functional or Combination Resume

Instead of a traditional chronological resume, consider a functional or combination format. These focus on your skills and achievements, rather than your work history. It can help downplay short-term jobs or career gaps.

Be Honest

If you’re worried about a short-term job or negative experience, it might be better to include it and be honest. Explain the situation briefly in your cover letter or interview. Honesty can go a long way with potential employers.

Group Contract Work

If you’ve done a lot of freelance or contract work, consider grouping it under a single heading. This can help simplify your resume and avoid raising concerns about job-hopping.

Focus on Skills and Achievements

Rather than dwelling on job titles or durations, focus on the skills and achievements that make you a strong candidate. This can help shift the conversation away from potential red flags.

A Word of Caution

Before you start editing jobs out of your resume, keep a few things in mind:

Background Checks

Some employers will ask for a complete work history when they run a background check. If your resume doesn’t match up, it could raise concerns. Make sure you can explain any discrepancies.

Online Profiles

Remember that your LinkedIn profile and other online platforms might still show those jobs. If an employer sees a difference between your resume and your online presence, it could be a problem. Make sure your story is consistent across all platforms.

Honesty is Key

Lying on your resume is never a good idea. It can come back to haunt you, even if you’ve already landed the job. If you’re going to leave jobs off, make sure you can explain why honestly and compellingly.

So, Should You Do It?

Let’s circle back to the main question: Should you leave jobs off your resume? Ultimately, it depends on your situation. But here’s a quick recap to help you decide:

• Yes, if: The job is irrelevant, short-term (without a good reason), or a negative experience that you can’t explain well.
• No, if: Leaving it off creates a large gap, makes you seem underqualified, or could cause issues with background checks.
• Maybe, if: You’re unsure, consider alternatives like using a functional resume or being honest about the situation.

At the end of the day, you know your situation best. Trust your instincts, but make sure you can back up your decisions with solid reasoning.

FAQ

Q: What if a potential employer asks about a gap on my resume?
A: Be honest, but brief. Explain the situation without dwelling on it. For example, ‘I took some time off to care for a family member, but I’m eager to get back to work now.’

Q: Should I include jobs that lasted less than a month?
A: Probably not, unless it was a contract role or temporary project. Otherwise, it can raise concerns about job-hopping.

Q: What if I left a job on bad terms? Should I include it?
A: It depends. If you can explain the situation honestly and compellingly, it might be worth including. But if not, consider leaving it off.

Q: Will employers check my work history?
A: Some might. It’s common for employers to run background checks, which can include verifying your work history. Make sure your resume matches up with what they’ll find.

@article{leaving-jobs-off-your-resume-should-you-do-it,
    title   = {Leaving Jobs Off Your Resume: Should You Do It?},
    author  = {Chef's icon},
    year    = {2025},
    journal = {Chef's Icon},
    url     = {https://chefsicon.com/leaving-jobs-off-your-resume-do-it/}
}