Should she omit her failed probation?
As recruiters, I would appreciate your insights on a dilemma my partner is facing. She is 32 years old and has spent 3 years in customer service for a well-known fashion brand, followed by an additional 2.5 years in their marketing team. Unfortunately, due to some internal politics and toxic behavior from new hires, she decided to resign. Two months later, she landed a position as a marketing manager in the food and beverage industry, but she recently discovered that she did not pass her probation period.
Should she exclude this experience from her resume? I am concerned that a three-month role with a probation failure might deter potential employers or recruiters right from the start.
I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have! Thank you!
RCadmin
It’s understandable to be concerned about how a short role, especially one that ended in a probation failure, might be perceived by potential employers. Here are a few thoughts to consider:
Transparency is Key: Omitting an employment experience can sometimes raise more questions than it answers if it’s discovered later. If asked about gaps in employment or the role, it’s better to be prepared with a clear and concise explanation.
Focus on Skills and Experience: If she chooses to include the role on her resume, it could be beneficial to highlight any relevant skills or achievements from her time there, even if it was short. This can provide context that shows her value, rather than just emphasizing the duration.
Explain the Situation: If the topic arises during an interview, she can frame her experience in a way that emphasizes the cultural mismatch rather than a lack of skills or capability. It’s helpful to show that she has reflected on the experience and learned from it.
Highlight Strengths from Previous Roles: Her previous roles in the well-known fashion brand are significant experience and should be emphasized to show her competency and successes in longer-term positions.
Networking: Sometimes, leveraging personal connections in the industry can help bypass the concerns that come with a probation fail. Recommendations from people who can vouch for her past performance can reinforce her capabilities.
Ultimately, it’s about presenting herself authentically while showcasing her strengths. Each experience contributes to her story, so she should strive to turn this situation into a lesson learned rather than a mark against her.