Should mass-layoffs be mentioned on one's resume?
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In this question about gaps in employment one answer suggested mentioning on your resume if you were part of a mass-layoff:
being part of a large layoff should be noted in the resume. If your
division lost 1,500 jobs, and you were in that pool, then note it:
"Was included in a large layoff" or something similar.
Having been through similar circumstances, I've never mentioned such on my resume. I'm wondering if this is sound advice or risky. In particular, I'm most interested in the perspective of those who review resumes and select which candidates to interview. Will mentioning a mass-layoff help or hinder my chances of getting interviews? Or does it simply depend on the interviewer whether it would leave a positive or negative taste in their mouth? Are there general pros and cons to consider before deciding whether such should be mentioned on the resume?
resume layoff
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up vote
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In this question about gaps in employment one answer suggested mentioning on your resume if you were part of a mass-layoff:
being part of a large layoff should be noted in the resume. If your
division lost 1,500 jobs, and you were in that pool, then note it:
"Was included in a large layoff" or something similar.
Having been through similar circumstances, I've never mentioned such on my resume. I'm wondering if this is sound advice or risky. In particular, I'm most interested in the perspective of those who review resumes and select which candidates to interview. Will mentioning a mass-layoff help or hinder my chances of getting interviews? Or does it simply depend on the interviewer whether it would leave a positive or negative taste in their mouth? Are there general pros and cons to consider before deciding whether such should be mentioned on the resume?
resume layoff
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
In this question about gaps in employment one answer suggested mentioning on your resume if you were part of a mass-layoff:
being part of a large layoff should be noted in the resume. If your
division lost 1,500 jobs, and you were in that pool, then note it:
"Was included in a large layoff" or something similar.
Having been through similar circumstances, I've never mentioned such on my resume. I'm wondering if this is sound advice or risky. In particular, I'm most interested in the perspective of those who review resumes and select which candidates to interview. Will mentioning a mass-layoff help or hinder my chances of getting interviews? Or does it simply depend on the interviewer whether it would leave a positive or negative taste in their mouth? Are there general pros and cons to consider before deciding whether such should be mentioned on the resume?
resume layoff
In this question about gaps in employment one answer suggested mentioning on your resume if you were part of a mass-layoff:
being part of a large layoff should be noted in the resume. If your
division lost 1,500 jobs, and you were in that pool, then note it:
"Was included in a large layoff" or something similar.
Having been through similar circumstances, I've never mentioned such on my resume. I'm wondering if this is sound advice or risky. In particular, I'm most interested in the perspective of those who review resumes and select which candidates to interview. Will mentioning a mass-layoff help or hinder my chances of getting interviews? Or does it simply depend on the interviewer whether it would leave a positive or negative taste in their mouth? Are there general pros and cons to consider before deciding whether such should be mentioned on the resume?
resume layoff
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48
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asked Jan 25 '14 at 0:53
Jessica Brown
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2 Answers
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I'm a hiring manager, and I would not expect to see it on a resume.
I would expect to see it in a cover letter if you proactively mention why you left your most recent position (e.g. "After my division laid off 80% of its workforce, I find myself looking for new opportunities making widgets!"). After all, I'm going to ask that question anyway!
Layoffs are really common. As an explanation for a gap in employment, it almost needs no further explanation -- typically it's completely out of your control and I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to layoffs (that is, I don't naturally assume the company was just trying to find a way to fire that particular person...I take it on face value that business was just business).
Whether or not someone was laid off is neither a positive or a negative to me. It really is neutral. It's a truthful answer to "why did you leave X position", but doesn't provide any path toward further conversation, so I would just move on to the next question (as opposed to talking about some specific reason you left a position or were let go).
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up vote
1
down vote
What about neither? I'd see this as something that could get brought up in an interview stage where there may be questions about whether or not one learned something from it that could be a bit tricky. Putting that down on the resume can mean there could be questions in the interview about it.
As for whether or not to put it down, I'd question if there are other points that may be more valuable on the resume. If one is putting that down and leaving off some big project or accomplishment then I'd question if it is worth noting there. I could see it making more sense on the cover letter possibly if one discusses experience at a big company that ended with major lay offs.
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
17
down vote
accepted
I'm a hiring manager, and I would not expect to see it on a resume.
I would expect to see it in a cover letter if you proactively mention why you left your most recent position (e.g. "After my division laid off 80% of its workforce, I find myself looking for new opportunities making widgets!"). After all, I'm going to ask that question anyway!
Layoffs are really common. As an explanation for a gap in employment, it almost needs no further explanation -- typically it's completely out of your control and I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to layoffs (that is, I don't naturally assume the company was just trying to find a way to fire that particular person...I take it on face value that business was just business).
Whether or not someone was laid off is neither a positive or a negative to me. It really is neutral. It's a truthful answer to "why did you leave X position", but doesn't provide any path toward further conversation, so I would just move on to the next question (as opposed to talking about some specific reason you left a position or were let go).
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
accepted
I'm a hiring manager, and I would not expect to see it on a resume.
I would expect to see it in a cover letter if you proactively mention why you left your most recent position (e.g. "After my division laid off 80% of its workforce, I find myself looking for new opportunities making widgets!"). After all, I'm going to ask that question anyway!
Layoffs are really common. As an explanation for a gap in employment, it almost needs no further explanation -- typically it's completely out of your control and I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to layoffs (that is, I don't naturally assume the company was just trying to find a way to fire that particular person...I take it on face value that business was just business).
Whether or not someone was laid off is neither a positive or a negative to me. It really is neutral. It's a truthful answer to "why did you leave X position", but doesn't provide any path toward further conversation, so I would just move on to the next question (as opposed to talking about some specific reason you left a position or were let go).
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
accepted
up vote
17
down vote
accepted
I'm a hiring manager, and I would not expect to see it on a resume.
I would expect to see it in a cover letter if you proactively mention why you left your most recent position (e.g. "After my division laid off 80% of its workforce, I find myself looking for new opportunities making widgets!"). After all, I'm going to ask that question anyway!
Layoffs are really common. As an explanation for a gap in employment, it almost needs no further explanation -- typically it's completely out of your control and I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to layoffs (that is, I don't naturally assume the company was just trying to find a way to fire that particular person...I take it on face value that business was just business).
Whether or not someone was laid off is neither a positive or a negative to me. It really is neutral. It's a truthful answer to "why did you leave X position", but doesn't provide any path toward further conversation, so I would just move on to the next question (as opposed to talking about some specific reason you left a position or were let go).
I'm a hiring manager, and I would not expect to see it on a resume.
I would expect to see it in a cover letter if you proactively mention why you left your most recent position (e.g. "After my division laid off 80% of its workforce, I find myself looking for new opportunities making widgets!"). After all, I'm going to ask that question anyway!
Layoffs are really common. As an explanation for a gap in employment, it almost needs no further explanation -- typically it's completely out of your control and I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to layoffs (that is, I don't naturally assume the company was just trying to find a way to fire that particular person...I take it on face value that business was just business).
Whether or not someone was laid off is neither a positive or a negative to me. It really is neutral. It's a truthful answer to "why did you leave X position", but doesn't provide any path toward further conversation, so I would just move on to the next question (as opposed to talking about some specific reason you left a position or were let go).
answered Jan 25 '14 at 2:20


jcmeloni
21.6k87393
21.6k87393
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up vote
1
down vote
What about neither? I'd see this as something that could get brought up in an interview stage where there may be questions about whether or not one learned something from it that could be a bit tricky. Putting that down on the resume can mean there could be questions in the interview about it.
As for whether or not to put it down, I'd question if there are other points that may be more valuable on the resume. If one is putting that down and leaving off some big project or accomplishment then I'd question if it is worth noting there. I could see it making more sense on the cover letter possibly if one discusses experience at a big company that ended with major lay offs.
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
What about neither? I'd see this as something that could get brought up in an interview stage where there may be questions about whether or not one learned something from it that could be a bit tricky. Putting that down on the resume can mean there could be questions in the interview about it.
As for whether or not to put it down, I'd question if there are other points that may be more valuable on the resume. If one is putting that down and leaving off some big project or accomplishment then I'd question if it is worth noting there. I could see it making more sense on the cover letter possibly if one discusses experience at a big company that ended with major lay offs.
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
What about neither? I'd see this as something that could get brought up in an interview stage where there may be questions about whether or not one learned something from it that could be a bit tricky. Putting that down on the resume can mean there could be questions in the interview about it.
As for whether or not to put it down, I'd question if there are other points that may be more valuable on the resume. If one is putting that down and leaving off some big project or accomplishment then I'd question if it is worth noting there. I could see it making more sense on the cover letter possibly if one discusses experience at a big company that ended with major lay offs.
What about neither? I'd see this as something that could get brought up in an interview stage where there may be questions about whether or not one learned something from it that could be a bit tricky. Putting that down on the resume can mean there could be questions in the interview about it.
As for whether or not to put it down, I'd question if there are other points that may be more valuable on the resume. If one is putting that down and leaving off some big project or accomplishment then I'd question if it is worth noting there. I could see it making more sense on the cover letter possibly if one discusses experience at a big company that ended with major lay offs.
answered Jan 25 '14 at 1:57
JB King
15.1k22957
15.1k22957
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
add a comment |Â
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
I'd say save it for the interview as well. Most resume reading is automated at the HR level and at the hiring manager level the emphasis should be on positive things like skills and experience. A resume is a sales pitch tool, not a complete biography.
– jfrankcarr
Jan 25 '14 at 17:06
add a comment |Â
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