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Uneployment gap at resume because of army: how to indicate that? Should I put army years to the software engineer's resume? [duplicate]
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How to display contract work and “career breaks†on a resume
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I'm a software engineer.
My job history looks as follows:
- Company B, 2009 - present
- Company A, 2004 - 2006, 2008 - 2009.
So, there is a time 2006 - 2008, during which I was in the army (There is a compulsory service in my country). This kind of activity has (almost) nothing in common with my profession, so, I don't think it's very good idea to put army years at my resume. On the other hand, it leaves the unemployment gap non-explained.
I would be glad to hear suggestions on it.
resume employment-gaps
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
marked as duplicate by Jim G., gnat, Roger, ChrisF, Chris E Mar 30 '15 at 14:29
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How to display contract work and “career breaks†on a resume
2 answers
I'm a software engineer.
My job history looks as follows:
- Company B, 2009 - present
- Company A, 2004 - 2006, 2008 - 2009.
So, there is a time 2006 - 2008, during which I was in the army (There is a compulsory service in my country). This kind of activity has (almost) nothing in common with my profession, so, I don't think it's very good idea to put army years at my resume. On the other hand, it leaves the unemployment gap non-explained.
I would be glad to hear suggestions on it.
resume employment-gaps
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
marked as duplicate by Jim G., gnat, Roger, ChrisF, Chris E Mar 30 '15 at 14:29
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
How to display contract work and “career breaks†on a resume
2 answers
I'm a software engineer.
My job history looks as follows:
- Company B, 2009 - present
- Company A, 2004 - 2006, 2008 - 2009.
So, there is a time 2006 - 2008, during which I was in the army (There is a compulsory service in my country). This kind of activity has (almost) nothing in common with my profession, so, I don't think it's very good idea to put army years at my resume. On the other hand, it leaves the unemployment gap non-explained.
I would be glad to hear suggestions on it.
resume employment-gaps
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
This question already has an answer here:
How to display contract work and “career breaks†on a resume
2 answers
I'm a software engineer.
My job history looks as follows:
- Company B, 2009 - present
- Company A, 2004 - 2006, 2008 - 2009.
So, there is a time 2006 - 2008, during which I was in the army (There is a compulsory service in my country). This kind of activity has (almost) nothing in common with my profession, so, I don't think it's very good idea to put army years at my resume. On the other hand, it leaves the unemployment gap non-explained.
I would be glad to hear suggestions on it.
This question already has an answer here:
How to display contract work and “career breaks†on a resume
2 answers
resume employment-gaps
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
asked Mar 28 '15 at 23:36
Dmitry Frank
645259
645259
marked as duplicate by Jim G., gnat, Roger, ChrisF, Chris E Mar 30 '15 at 14:29
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by Jim G., gnat, Roger, ChrisF, Chris E Mar 30 '15 at 14:29
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02
suggest improvements |Â
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02
suggest improvements |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
I'm struggling to understand your difficulty here. You know you need to explain the gap and the gap is for a completely legitimate and normal/understandable reason in your country. I quite literally can't think of a negative in putting it in your CV.
In addition, it seems like getting a job after would be the hurdle, but you've already done that and moved on to the tune of 6 years! Put it in, take the positives you can out of it (Any experience that would prove personal characteristics like leadership etc), but leave the focus on your relevant experience.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Include your time in the armed services on your CV. While it may not directly relate to your profession, there are many skills you likely picked up (e.g. discipline, working under pressure) that could be broadly applicable. It also fills the gap, as you say. If service is compulsory, there is unlikely to be any stigma attached to it.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
You might be able to say Company A 2004 - 2009 if you were on a military leave of absence. I have reviewed resumes where reserve soldiers who were activated for six month to one year tours, they were still considered employees while on active duty. They even had job protection rights.
You will still note your military service as a separate entry on the CV/resume.
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-11
down vote
I'd say that you don't need to mention in your CV that you did your military service in 2006-2008 unless you feel strongly that your fox hole digging skills, walking hundreds of klicks carrying loads that would cause a mule to faint and getting screamed at by your NCOs and having your butt kicked by them are skills that your prospective employers value as enhancing your effectiveness in whatever profession you are in now.
You can very well mention your military service in your cover letter if you want to emphasize that you were not in jail at the time - although there are plenty of countries where being in jail is less painful than being in the army, but that's another story for another day :)
However, the best place to mention that you were in the army at that time is in any of your applications for work where you want to indicate that you were NOT in the Big House a the time :)
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
 |Â
show 1 more comment
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
I'm struggling to understand your difficulty here. You know you need to explain the gap and the gap is for a completely legitimate and normal/understandable reason in your country. I quite literally can't think of a negative in putting it in your CV.
In addition, it seems like getting a job after would be the hurdle, but you've already done that and moved on to the tune of 6 years! Put it in, take the positives you can out of it (Any experience that would prove personal characteristics like leadership etc), but leave the focus on your relevant experience.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
I'm struggling to understand your difficulty here. You know you need to explain the gap and the gap is for a completely legitimate and normal/understandable reason in your country. I quite literally can't think of a negative in putting it in your CV.
In addition, it seems like getting a job after would be the hurdle, but you've already done that and moved on to the tune of 6 years! Put it in, take the positives you can out of it (Any experience that would prove personal characteristics like leadership etc), but leave the focus on your relevant experience.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
up vote
22
down vote
accepted
I'm struggling to understand your difficulty here. You know you need to explain the gap and the gap is for a completely legitimate and normal/understandable reason in your country. I quite literally can't think of a negative in putting it in your CV.
In addition, it seems like getting a job after would be the hurdle, but you've already done that and moved on to the tune of 6 years! Put it in, take the positives you can out of it (Any experience that would prove personal characteristics like leadership etc), but leave the focus on your relevant experience.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
I'm struggling to understand your difficulty here. You know you need to explain the gap and the gap is for a completely legitimate and normal/understandable reason in your country. I quite literally can't think of a negative in putting it in your CV.
In addition, it seems like getting a job after would be the hurdle, but you've already done that and moved on to the tune of 6 years! Put it in, take the positives you can out of it (Any experience that would prove personal characteristics like leadership etc), but leave the focus on your relevant experience.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:53
Dan
8,74133636
8,74133636
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
suggest improvements |Â
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
5
5
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
Agree 100%. If the compulsory military service "has (almost) nothing in common with [your] profession", then don't waste any significant space on it, but of course you should put a line with "2006 -- 2008 : Military Service" in between the two spells at Company A.
– Carson63000
Mar 29 '15 at 0:50
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Include your time in the armed services on your CV. While it may not directly relate to your profession, there are many skills you likely picked up (e.g. discipline, working under pressure) that could be broadly applicable. It also fills the gap, as you say. If service is compulsory, there is unlikely to be any stigma attached to it.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
Include your time in the armed services on your CV. While it may not directly relate to your profession, there are many skills you likely picked up (e.g. discipline, working under pressure) that could be broadly applicable. It also fills the gap, as you say. If service is compulsory, there is unlikely to be any stigma attached to it.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
5
down vote
up vote
5
down vote
Include your time in the armed services on your CV. While it may not directly relate to your profession, there are many skills you likely picked up (e.g. discipline, working under pressure) that could be broadly applicable. It also fills the gap, as you say. If service is compulsory, there is unlikely to be any stigma attached to it.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
Include your time in the armed services on your CV. While it may not directly relate to your profession, there are many skills you likely picked up (e.g. discipline, working under pressure) that could be broadly applicable. It also fills the gap, as you say. If service is compulsory, there is unlikely to be any stigma attached to it.
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:54
akton
5,4811732
5,4811732
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
suggest improvements |Â
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
The interesting thing is how this affects positions abroad? In some countries, primarily US, I think there is a stigma attached to serving in the military. I'm sure there are many other countries like that, too. Will they understand the difference of voluntary and required by law military service?
– Juha Untinen
Mar 30 '15 at 10:59
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
@JuhaUntinen I would like to think most people separate those that put their lives in the line in the service of their country from the politicians that order them into action. Put it this way, if you had served in the military, would you want to work for someone or an organization that looked down upon those that have served in the military?
– akton
Mar 30 '15 at 11:12
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
You might be able to say Company A 2004 - 2009 if you were on a military leave of absence. I have reviewed resumes where reserve soldiers who were activated for six month to one year tours, they were still considered employees while on active duty. They even had job protection rights.
You will still note your military service as a separate entry on the CV/resume.
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
You might be able to say Company A 2004 - 2009 if you were on a military leave of absence. I have reviewed resumes where reserve soldiers who were activated for six month to one year tours, they were still considered employees while on active duty. They even had job protection rights.
You will still note your military service as a separate entry on the CV/resume.
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
You might be able to say Company A 2004 - 2009 if you were on a military leave of absence. I have reviewed resumes where reserve soldiers who were activated for six month to one year tours, they were still considered employees while on active duty. They even had job protection rights.
You will still note your military service as a separate entry on the CV/resume.
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
You might be able to say Company A 2004 - 2009 if you were on a military leave of absence. I have reviewed resumes where reserve soldiers who were activated for six month to one year tours, they were still considered employees while on active duty. They even had job protection rights.
You will still note your military service as a separate entry on the CV/resume.
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
answered Mar 29 '15 at 3:10
mhoran_psprep
40.3k462144
40.3k462144
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-11
down vote
I'd say that you don't need to mention in your CV that you did your military service in 2006-2008 unless you feel strongly that your fox hole digging skills, walking hundreds of klicks carrying loads that would cause a mule to faint and getting screamed at by your NCOs and having your butt kicked by them are skills that your prospective employers value as enhancing your effectiveness in whatever profession you are in now.
You can very well mention your military service in your cover letter if you want to emphasize that you were not in jail at the time - although there are plenty of countries where being in jail is less painful than being in the army, but that's another story for another day :)
However, the best place to mention that you were in the army at that time is in any of your applications for work where you want to indicate that you were NOT in the Big House a the time :)
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
-11
down vote
I'd say that you don't need to mention in your CV that you did your military service in 2006-2008 unless you feel strongly that your fox hole digging skills, walking hundreds of klicks carrying loads that would cause a mule to faint and getting screamed at by your NCOs and having your butt kicked by them are skills that your prospective employers value as enhancing your effectiveness in whatever profession you are in now.
You can very well mention your military service in your cover letter if you want to emphasize that you were not in jail at the time - although there are plenty of countries where being in jail is less painful than being in the army, but that's another story for another day :)
However, the best place to mention that you were in the army at that time is in any of your applications for work where you want to indicate that you were NOT in the Big House a the time :)
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
-11
down vote
up vote
-11
down vote
I'd say that you don't need to mention in your CV that you did your military service in 2006-2008 unless you feel strongly that your fox hole digging skills, walking hundreds of klicks carrying loads that would cause a mule to faint and getting screamed at by your NCOs and having your butt kicked by them are skills that your prospective employers value as enhancing your effectiveness in whatever profession you are in now.
You can very well mention your military service in your cover letter if you want to emphasize that you were not in jail at the time - although there are plenty of countries where being in jail is less painful than being in the army, but that's another story for another day :)
However, the best place to mention that you were in the army at that time is in any of your applications for work where you want to indicate that you were NOT in the Big House a the time :)
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
I'd say that you don't need to mention in your CV that you did your military service in 2006-2008 unless you feel strongly that your fox hole digging skills, walking hundreds of klicks carrying loads that would cause a mule to faint and getting screamed at by your NCOs and having your butt kicked by them are skills that your prospective employers value as enhancing your effectiveness in whatever profession you are in now.
You can very well mention your military service in your cover letter if you want to emphasize that you were not in jail at the time - although there are plenty of countries where being in jail is less painful than being in the army, but that's another story for another day :)
However, the best place to mention that you were in the army at that time is in any of your applications for work where you want to indicate that you were NOT in the Big House a the time :)
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Mar 28 '15 at 23:55
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
2
2
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
In my experience, most people will be suspicious of a non contiguous CV. It's one thing to drop off old experience, but having missing years is just going to cause people to ponder and its easier to bin a CV than it is to find out - especially if the competition is strong. Addiitonally, the people doing the sifting don't always get or read the cover letter so I only ever use them as enhancements and never rely on it being read.
– Dan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:03
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
@Dan I understand that SOME companies'HR don't bother with reading cover letters but every single one of those companies that I have applied to in the last 25 years asked for a cover letter. I wouldn't bother applying to any company that does not want a cover letter. As for those who would bin a strong resume over a gap without asking question, it's their loss.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 29 '15 at 0:08
5
5
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
This is an incredibly ignorant view on what is actually involved in military service
– HorusKol
Mar 30 '15 at 1:51
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol Say that I don't know what I am talking about at your own risk: 1. Many of the world's armies are indifferently run to horribly run outfits. An example in point is the Russian army, where the brutality and scope of hazing are in a class of their own. The Australian armed forces are an example where the lowest ranked soldiers are treated with dignity and respect and learning is constant. Don't assume that it's the case everywhere; 2. There is a huge difference in quality between a conscript army and a volunteer army - none of the US armed forces chiefs wants to go back to the draft;
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:12
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
@Horuskol 3. Higher quality personnel means that money is spent on turning out better trained, higher quality soldiers rather than remediating deficiencies say in basic education among the recruits and focusing the initial training on some very low common denominator instead of a higher common denominator. There is, for example, no comparison between Argentine conscripts and the British Gurkhas. Conscript armies like the Israeli and Vietnamese armies are the exception rather than the rule.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Mar 31 '15 at 13:13
 |Â
show 1 more comment
As an aside, to the answers below, if this is compulsory service and you're applying outside your country I would try and make very clear that it was compulsory service in your CV and covering letter. For countries without compulsory service, a two year break to go and join the army may look odd, but no-one will think negatively of you for doing the same thing because of compulsory service.
– Jack Aidley
Jun 23 '17 at 12:02