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How to discuss unrelated religious service on resume
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17
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Background:
I was fortunate enough to obtain an internship in software development when I was 16, and I've been working in a software development related role ever since (through summer jobs/internships as well as full-time salaried work). I am currently 22.
It is very common where I am from for young men and women at the age of 18 or higher to enter into voluntary religious service for 1.5-2 years. I chose to do so when I was 18, came home, and landed a nice job at a local software company which I left after a year and a half of employment.
When I returned home I didn't initially discuss my religious service in my resume. However, this lead to questions about the two year gap. I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for
use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
- Participated in daily and weekly planning sessions
- Cold contacted, presented curriculum
- Mentored junior colleagues
Question:
How I can I handle this professionally in my resume? Should I include it at all? If no, how can I best talk about the 2 year gap/avoid a binned resume?
TLDR; As it stands my resume consists of a few software development jobs, followed by a 2 year gap for religious service, and then another software related job. What is the most professional way to handle this in my resume?
resume religion
edited 21 mins ago
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up vote
17
down vote
favorite
Background:
I was fortunate enough to obtain an internship in software development when I was 16, and I've been working in a software development related role ever since (through summer jobs/internships as well as full-time salaried work). I am currently 22.
It is very common where I am from for young men and women at the age of 18 or higher to enter into voluntary religious service for 1.5-2 years. I chose to do so when I was 18, came home, and landed a nice job at a local software company which I left after a year and a half of employment.
When I returned home I didn't initially discuss my religious service in my resume. However, this lead to questions about the two year gap. I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for
use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
- Participated in daily and weekly planning sessions
- Cold contacted, presented curriculum
- Mentored junior colleagues
Question:
How I can I handle this professionally in my resume? Should I include it at all? If no, how can I best talk about the 2 year gap/avoid a binned resume?
TLDR; As it stands my resume consists of a few software development jobs, followed by a 2 year gap for religious service, and then another software related job. What is the most professional way to handle this in my resume?
resume religion
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
up vote
17
down vote
favorite
Background:
I was fortunate enough to obtain an internship in software development when I was 16, and I've been working in a software development related role ever since (through summer jobs/internships as well as full-time salaried work). I am currently 22.
It is very common where I am from for young men and women at the age of 18 or higher to enter into voluntary religious service for 1.5-2 years. I chose to do so when I was 18, came home, and landed a nice job at a local software company which I left after a year and a half of employment.
When I returned home I didn't initially discuss my religious service in my resume. However, this lead to questions about the two year gap. I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for
use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
- Participated in daily and weekly planning sessions
- Cold contacted, presented curriculum
- Mentored junior colleagues
Question:
How I can I handle this professionally in my resume? Should I include it at all? If no, how can I best talk about the 2 year gap/avoid a binned resume?
TLDR; As it stands my resume consists of a few software development jobs, followed by a 2 year gap for religious service, and then another software related job. What is the most professional way to handle this in my resume?
resume religion
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Background:
I was fortunate enough to obtain an internship in software development when I was 16, and I've been working in a software development related role ever since (through summer jobs/internships as well as full-time salaried work). I am currently 22.
It is very common where I am from for young men and women at the age of 18 or higher to enter into voluntary religious service for 1.5-2 years. I chose to do so when I was 18, came home, and landed a nice job at a local software company which I left after a year and a half of employment.
When I returned home I didn't initially discuss my religious service in my resume. However, this lead to questions about the two year gap. I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for
use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
- Participated in daily and weekly planning sessions
- Cold contacted, presented curriculum
- Mentored junior colleagues
Question:
How I can I handle this professionally in my resume? Should I include it at all? If no, how can I best talk about the 2 year gap/avoid a binned resume?
TLDR; As it stands my resume consists of a few software development jobs, followed by a 2 year gap for religious service, and then another software related job. What is the most professional way to handle this in my resume?
resume religion
resume religion
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
edited 21 mins ago
BSMP
3,4511326
3,4511326
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
asked 13 hours ago
0112
18916
18916
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
0112 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago
3
3
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago
add a comment |Â
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
up vote
42
down vote
That quoted part seems okay to put in a resume; you could perhaps leave out the LDS part and just mention "full time volunteer" if you're worried that religious service looks unprofessional on your resume, but I wouldn't worry about it; especially not if this is common in the area you live in.
I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible
As a bit of an aside, I think that being a good employee in any position (including software development) is more than just about "technical skills". The so-called "soft skills" of being a pleasant person to work with, patience, ability to disagree constructively, being able to take responsibility, and so forth matter. A lot. Highlighting those kind of aspects in your two year service would be just as useful – if not more useful – than highlighting various technical things you've done in that time.
All other things being equal, I would personally sooner hire someone with some experience outside of software development – such as LDS missionary service – than someone who hasn't, even though I am an atheist who is not especially fond of organized religion (as an institution) in general.
Don't be afraid of it, and use it to your advantage.
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Definitely include it in your resume!
It's great, it shows you're not just motivated by money and have interests outside of work. Many people your age have big gaps for traveling etc. and most employers don't mind.
To fill the gap in your resume list your freelance work as an ongoing position that spread over this time. That way your future employers can see that you were still coding while you did voluntary service.
i.e.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
Freelance Software Developer January 2015 - Present
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Seeing as you did some programming in the middle of this service, I think it's still reasonable to put it in your resume. However, you might want to trim the entries under that to include the programming bit and then just summarize what you do there. You can then simply elaborate further should they ask about it during an interview.
So it would just probably appear like this:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is no special way to discuss this, any relevant experience should be listed. You should be prepared to discuss it as you would any other relevant work experience, I would suggest you focus on what you did and how it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you simply need to account for the gap in what may be a sparse resume, and do not feel there is enough relevant experience, you may simply include it to account for time without going into details.
Over time as you have more work experience, this CV line will likely be relegated to employers who would put weight in the volunteering or religious aspect (perhaps other religious institutions looking for your skills). Typically folsk with plenty of work experience would put this in the Personal Activities/Achievements/Community Service section if they choose to have one.
It sounds like your resume is still new and you would like to hold on to the most amount of content possible, this is understandable.
If the experience is relevant to your job position, focus the resume entry on those, volunteering in a soup kitchen, mentoring, etc. is not necessarily relevant and should be minimized to one bullet or mentioned in another section on personal activities or community service.
If the experience is not directly relevant to your job position, mention it but provide minimal detail (what you have may be enough)
If it causes more grief than help remove it all together
As you have more work experience this line will naturally seem unnecessary as you would have much more experience to cite, and maybe would remain a mention in your personal activities section.
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Especially since you did computer-related work as a volunteer, making it more technically relevant – but, even if you hadn't – you definitely should include that entry, proudly.
Whether you "felt called" to do it, or felt that it was expected of you and/or that it is a social norm where you live, "this is what I did, and did it faithfully and well, during this period of my life." (And if you still do it, mention that also.)
I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens – slugging 40-pound containers of hot food to the front line and washing a helluva (heaven-va?) lot of dishes – but this, too, "is part of my life and of my life's service to others," and I mention it in a section on resumes. (In this case, I do it simply because I want to – hard work has never felt more fulfilling.) It is beneficial to let an employer know "what else you are, besides work."
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
add a comment |Â
up vote
-5
down vote
If you want to turn this into an asset rather than a potential issue, then target your religious network and group for opportunities, in which case this experience is both valuable and totally valid.
Lots of LDS I know have done this. It's one of the biggest secular benefits of having a religious support group. You have done your bit as a missionary and should have made some pretty connected contacts while doing so. In fact it would immediately start you of on a good social footing if you landed such a position.
I'm not LDS, nor would I hire an ex-missionary, but I know several who have gone this avenue successfully.
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
 |Â
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
42
down vote
That quoted part seems okay to put in a resume; you could perhaps leave out the LDS part and just mention "full time volunteer" if you're worried that religious service looks unprofessional on your resume, but I wouldn't worry about it; especially not if this is common in the area you live in.
I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible
As a bit of an aside, I think that being a good employee in any position (including software development) is more than just about "technical skills". The so-called "soft skills" of being a pleasant person to work with, patience, ability to disagree constructively, being able to take responsibility, and so forth matter. A lot. Highlighting those kind of aspects in your two year service would be just as useful – if not more useful – than highlighting various technical things you've done in that time.
All other things being equal, I would personally sooner hire someone with some experience outside of software development – such as LDS missionary service – than someone who hasn't, even though I am an atheist who is not especially fond of organized religion (as an institution) in general.
Don't be afraid of it, and use it to your advantage.
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
42
down vote
That quoted part seems okay to put in a resume; you could perhaps leave out the LDS part and just mention "full time volunteer" if you're worried that religious service looks unprofessional on your resume, but I wouldn't worry about it; especially not if this is common in the area you live in.
I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible
As a bit of an aside, I think that being a good employee in any position (including software development) is more than just about "technical skills". The so-called "soft skills" of being a pleasant person to work with, patience, ability to disagree constructively, being able to take responsibility, and so forth matter. A lot. Highlighting those kind of aspects in your two year service would be just as useful – if not more useful – than highlighting various technical things you've done in that time.
All other things being equal, I would personally sooner hire someone with some experience outside of software development – such as LDS missionary service – than someone who hasn't, even though I am an atheist who is not especially fond of organized religion (as an institution) in general.
Don't be afraid of it, and use it to your advantage.
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
42
down vote
up vote
42
down vote
That quoted part seems okay to put in a resume; you could perhaps leave out the LDS part and just mention "full time volunteer" if you're worried that religious service looks unprofessional on your resume, but I wouldn't worry about it; especially not if this is common in the area you live in.
I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible
As a bit of an aside, I think that being a good employee in any position (including software development) is more than just about "technical skills". The so-called "soft skills" of being a pleasant person to work with, patience, ability to disagree constructively, being able to take responsibility, and so forth matter. A lot. Highlighting those kind of aspects in your two year service would be just as useful – if not more useful – than highlighting various technical things you've done in that time.
All other things being equal, I would personally sooner hire someone with some experience outside of software development – such as LDS missionary service – than someone who hasn't, even though I am an atheist who is not especially fond of organized religion (as an institution) in general.
Don't be afraid of it, and use it to your advantage.
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
That quoted part seems okay to put in a resume; you could perhaps leave out the LDS part and just mention "full time volunteer" if you're worried that religious service looks unprofessional on your resume, but I wouldn't worry about it; especially not if this is common in the area you live in.
I was able to participate in a little programming while involved in this, so I've taken to including it, and attempted to make it as relevant as possible
As a bit of an aside, I think that being a good employee in any position (including software development) is more than just about "technical skills". The so-called "soft skills" of being a pleasant person to work with, patience, ability to disagree constructively, being able to take responsibility, and so forth matter. A lot. Highlighting those kind of aspects in your two year service would be just as useful – if not more useful – than highlighting various technical things you've done in that time.
All other things being equal, I would personally sooner hire someone with some experience outside of software development – such as LDS missionary service – than someone who hasn't, even though I am an atheist who is not especially fond of organized religion (as an institution) in general.
Don't be afraid of it, and use it to your advantage.
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
edited 12 hours ago
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
answered 12 hours ago
Martin Tournoij
6,29541937
6,29541937
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
4
4
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
In every part of the US, an "LDS mission" is seen as nothing but positive, even by non-religious folks. It's basically stamp of being an "upright citizen" (sober, not in debt, clean cut, excellent public speaker, etc.).
– Fattie
6 hours ago
2
2
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie In the USA, I'm not going to disagree. But in the rest of the world, the majority of people probably wouldn't know what LDS meant (though "Mormons" probably would be better known) and the majority who did know would class them as an irritating nuisance, given the number of times they ring your doorbell, unannounced, and try to get you to join their cult.
– alephzero
3 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
@Fattie speaking as a Finn, I'd at the very least value the semi-guarantee that they won't be disappearing for two years to fulfill that particular commitment.
– Haem
2 hours ago
5
5
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
@Fattie, I'm going to disagree. Most places I've lived, "LDS mission" is going to be seen by many people as "This person probably won't work well with our LGBT employees, and may engage in on-the-job proselytization". This is not necessarily accurate, but it's another view to contrast with your "nothing but positive" perspective.
– A. Leistra
1 hour ago
1
1
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
Call it "Mission Service" if you want. Then if someone asks, talk about what you did (helped the poor, fed the hungry, etc) rather than what denomination you were a part of. For example, I participated in a volunteer church-organized service project reroofing homes on the Navajo reservation in Nevada (Sierra Service Project). Not once do I have to mention what church I was a part of. People like hearing about what you did and who you helped, they don't care about your particular religious affiliation (and if they do, you don't have to answer).
– Draco18s
39 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Definitely include it in your resume!
It's great, it shows you're not just motivated by money and have interests outside of work. Many people your age have big gaps for traveling etc. and most employers don't mind.
To fill the gap in your resume list your freelance work as an ongoing position that spread over this time. That way your future employers can see that you were still coding while you did voluntary service.
i.e.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
Freelance Software Developer January 2015 - Present
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
Definitely include it in your resume!
It's great, it shows you're not just motivated by money and have interests outside of work. Many people your age have big gaps for traveling etc. and most employers don't mind.
To fill the gap in your resume list your freelance work as an ongoing position that spread over this time. That way your future employers can see that you were still coding while you did voluntary service.
i.e.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
Freelance Software Developer January 2015 - Present
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
up vote
13
down vote
Definitely include it in your resume!
It's great, it shows you're not just motivated by money and have interests outside of work. Many people your age have big gaps for traveling etc. and most employers don't mind.
To fill the gap in your resume list your freelance work as an ongoing position that spread over this time. That way your future employers can see that you were still coding while you did voluntary service.
i.e.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
Freelance Software Developer January 2015 - Present
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
Definitely include it in your resume!
It's great, it shows you're not just motivated by money and have interests outside of work. Many people your age have big gaps for traveling etc. and most employers don't mind.
To fill the gap in your resume list your freelance work as an ongoing position that spread over this time. That way your future employers can see that you were still coding while you did voluntary service.
i.e.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
Freelance Software Developer January 2015 - Present
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
edited 8 hours ago
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
answered 12 hours ago
Pixelomo
965615
965615
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Seeing as you did some programming in the middle of this service, I think it's still reasonable to put it in your resume. However, you might want to trim the entries under that to include the programming bit and then just summarize what you do there. You can then simply elaborate further should they ask about it during an interview.
So it would just probably appear like this:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Seeing as you did some programming in the middle of this service, I think it's still reasonable to put it in your resume. However, you might want to trim the entries under that to include the programming bit and then just summarize what you do there. You can then simply elaborate further should they ask about it during an interview.
So it would just probably appear like this:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Seeing as you did some programming in the middle of this service, I think it's still reasonable to put it in your resume. However, you might want to trim the entries under that to include the programming bit and then just summarize what you do there. You can then simply elaborate further should they ask about it during an interview.
So it would just probably appear like this:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
Seeing as you did some programming in the middle of this service, I think it's still reasonable to put it in your resume. However, you might want to trim the entries under that to include the programming bit and then just summarize what you do there. You can then simply elaborate further should they ask about it during an interview.
So it would just probably appear like this:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints / Full Time Volunteer
January 2015 - January 2017,
- Created script to translate Delorme Street Atlas+ files into KML for use in google maps
- Volunteered weekly in community service such as soup kitchens and food pantries
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
answered 12 hours ago
Noir Antares
897213
897213
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
1
1
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
Depending on the position, experience with mentoring others could be worth leaving in (even expanding a little beyond what OP's written).
– Geoffrey Brent
5 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is no special way to discuss this, any relevant experience should be listed. You should be prepared to discuss it as you would any other relevant work experience, I would suggest you focus on what you did and how it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you simply need to account for the gap in what may be a sparse resume, and do not feel there is enough relevant experience, you may simply include it to account for time without going into details.
Over time as you have more work experience, this CV line will likely be relegated to employers who would put weight in the volunteering or religious aspect (perhaps other religious institutions looking for your skills). Typically folsk with plenty of work experience would put this in the Personal Activities/Achievements/Community Service section if they choose to have one.
It sounds like your resume is still new and you would like to hold on to the most amount of content possible, this is understandable.
If the experience is relevant to your job position, focus the resume entry on those, volunteering in a soup kitchen, mentoring, etc. is not necessarily relevant and should be minimized to one bullet or mentioned in another section on personal activities or community service.
If the experience is not directly relevant to your job position, mention it but provide minimal detail (what you have may be enough)
If it causes more grief than help remove it all together
As you have more work experience this line will naturally seem unnecessary as you would have much more experience to cite, and maybe would remain a mention in your personal activities section.
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
There is no special way to discuss this, any relevant experience should be listed. You should be prepared to discuss it as you would any other relevant work experience, I would suggest you focus on what you did and how it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you simply need to account for the gap in what may be a sparse resume, and do not feel there is enough relevant experience, you may simply include it to account for time without going into details.
Over time as you have more work experience, this CV line will likely be relegated to employers who would put weight in the volunteering or religious aspect (perhaps other religious institutions looking for your skills). Typically folsk with plenty of work experience would put this in the Personal Activities/Achievements/Community Service section if they choose to have one.
It sounds like your resume is still new and you would like to hold on to the most amount of content possible, this is understandable.
If the experience is relevant to your job position, focus the resume entry on those, volunteering in a soup kitchen, mentoring, etc. is not necessarily relevant and should be minimized to one bullet or mentioned in another section on personal activities or community service.
If the experience is not directly relevant to your job position, mention it but provide minimal detail (what you have may be enough)
If it causes more grief than help remove it all together
As you have more work experience this line will naturally seem unnecessary as you would have much more experience to cite, and maybe would remain a mention in your personal activities section.
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
There is no special way to discuss this, any relevant experience should be listed. You should be prepared to discuss it as you would any other relevant work experience, I would suggest you focus on what you did and how it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you simply need to account for the gap in what may be a sparse resume, and do not feel there is enough relevant experience, you may simply include it to account for time without going into details.
Over time as you have more work experience, this CV line will likely be relegated to employers who would put weight in the volunteering or religious aspect (perhaps other religious institutions looking for your skills). Typically folsk with plenty of work experience would put this in the Personal Activities/Achievements/Community Service section if they choose to have one.
It sounds like your resume is still new and you would like to hold on to the most amount of content possible, this is understandable.
If the experience is relevant to your job position, focus the resume entry on those, volunteering in a soup kitchen, mentoring, etc. is not necessarily relevant and should be minimized to one bullet or mentioned in another section on personal activities or community service.
If the experience is not directly relevant to your job position, mention it but provide minimal detail (what you have may be enough)
If it causes more grief than help remove it all together
As you have more work experience this line will naturally seem unnecessary as you would have much more experience to cite, and maybe would remain a mention in your personal activities section.
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
There is no special way to discuss this, any relevant experience should be listed. You should be prepared to discuss it as you would any other relevant work experience, I would suggest you focus on what you did and how it is relevant to the job you are applying for.
If you simply need to account for the gap in what may be a sparse resume, and do not feel there is enough relevant experience, you may simply include it to account for time without going into details.
Over time as you have more work experience, this CV line will likely be relegated to employers who would put weight in the volunteering or religious aspect (perhaps other religious institutions looking for your skills). Typically folsk with plenty of work experience would put this in the Personal Activities/Achievements/Community Service section if they choose to have one.
It sounds like your resume is still new and you would like to hold on to the most amount of content possible, this is understandable.
If the experience is relevant to your job position, focus the resume entry on those, volunteering in a soup kitchen, mentoring, etc. is not necessarily relevant and should be minimized to one bullet or mentioned in another section on personal activities or community service.
If the experience is not directly relevant to your job position, mention it but provide minimal detail (what you have may be enough)
If it causes more grief than help remove it all together
As you have more work experience this line will naturally seem unnecessary as you would have much more experience to cite, and maybe would remain a mention in your personal activities section.
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
answered 12 hours ago
crasic
3396
3396
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Especially since you did computer-related work as a volunteer, making it more technically relevant – but, even if you hadn't – you definitely should include that entry, proudly.
Whether you "felt called" to do it, or felt that it was expected of you and/or that it is a social norm where you live, "this is what I did, and did it faithfully and well, during this period of my life." (And if you still do it, mention that also.)
I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens – slugging 40-pound containers of hot food to the front line and washing a helluva (heaven-va?) lot of dishes – but this, too, "is part of my life and of my life's service to others," and I mention it in a section on resumes. (In this case, I do it simply because I want to – hard work has never felt more fulfilling.) It is beneficial to let an employer know "what else you are, besides work."
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Especially since you did computer-related work as a volunteer, making it more technically relevant – but, even if you hadn't – you definitely should include that entry, proudly.
Whether you "felt called" to do it, or felt that it was expected of you and/or that it is a social norm where you live, "this is what I did, and did it faithfully and well, during this period of my life." (And if you still do it, mention that also.)
I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens – slugging 40-pound containers of hot food to the front line and washing a helluva (heaven-va?) lot of dishes – but this, too, "is part of my life and of my life's service to others," and I mention it in a section on resumes. (In this case, I do it simply because I want to – hard work has never felt more fulfilling.) It is beneficial to let an employer know "what else you are, besides work."
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Especially since you did computer-related work as a volunteer, making it more technically relevant – but, even if you hadn't – you definitely should include that entry, proudly.
Whether you "felt called" to do it, or felt that it was expected of you and/or that it is a social norm where you live, "this is what I did, and did it faithfully and well, during this period of my life." (And if you still do it, mention that also.)
I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens – slugging 40-pound containers of hot food to the front line and washing a helluva (heaven-va?) lot of dishes – but this, too, "is part of my life and of my life's service to others," and I mention it in a section on resumes. (In this case, I do it simply because I want to – hard work has never felt more fulfilling.) It is beneficial to let an employer know "what else you are, besides work."
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
Especially since you did computer-related work as a volunteer, making it more technically relevant – but, even if you hadn't – you definitely should include that entry, proudly.
Whether you "felt called" to do it, or felt that it was expected of you and/or that it is a social norm where you live, "this is what I did, and did it faithfully and well, during this period of my life." (And if you still do it, mention that also.)
I sometimes volunteer at soup kitchens – slugging 40-pound containers of hot food to the front line and washing a helluva (heaven-va?) lot of dishes – but this, too, "is part of my life and of my life's service to others," and I mention it in a section on resumes. (In this case, I do it simply because I want to – hard work has never felt more fulfilling.) It is beneficial to let an employer know "what else you are, besides work."
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
answered 55 mins ago
Mike Robinson
1,9121410
1,9121410
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
-5
down vote
If you want to turn this into an asset rather than a potential issue, then target your religious network and group for opportunities, in which case this experience is both valuable and totally valid.
Lots of LDS I know have done this. It's one of the biggest secular benefits of having a religious support group. You have done your bit as a missionary and should have made some pretty connected contacts while doing so. In fact it would immediately start you of on a good social footing if you landed such a position.
I'm not LDS, nor would I hire an ex-missionary, but I know several who have gone this avenue successfully.
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
-5
down vote
If you want to turn this into an asset rather than a potential issue, then target your religious network and group for opportunities, in which case this experience is both valuable and totally valid.
Lots of LDS I know have done this. It's one of the biggest secular benefits of having a religious support group. You have done your bit as a missionary and should have made some pretty connected contacts while doing so. In fact it would immediately start you of on a good social footing if you landed such a position.
I'm not LDS, nor would I hire an ex-missionary, but I know several who have gone this avenue successfully.
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
 |Â
show 9 more comments
up vote
-5
down vote
up vote
-5
down vote
If you want to turn this into an asset rather than a potential issue, then target your religious network and group for opportunities, in which case this experience is both valuable and totally valid.
Lots of LDS I know have done this. It's one of the biggest secular benefits of having a religious support group. You have done your bit as a missionary and should have made some pretty connected contacts while doing so. In fact it would immediately start you of on a good social footing if you landed such a position.
I'm not LDS, nor would I hire an ex-missionary, but I know several who have gone this avenue successfully.
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
If you want to turn this into an asset rather than a potential issue, then target your religious network and group for opportunities, in which case this experience is both valuable and totally valid.
Lots of LDS I know have done this. It's one of the biggest secular benefits of having a religious support group. You have done your bit as a missionary and should have made some pretty connected contacts while doing so. In fact it would immediately start you of on a good social footing if you landed such a position.
I'm not LDS, nor would I hire an ex-missionary, but I know several who have gone this avenue successfully.
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
answered 9 hours ago
Kilisi
105k57234411
105k57234411
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
 |Â
show 9 more comments
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
10
10
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
"nor would I hire an ex-missionary" And you are living in a country in which discrimination based on religion is legal?
– FooBar
7 hours ago
4
4
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
@Fattie Plenty of bigots in the USA, I see them on TV.... whereas I'm not actually a bigot in personal terms, I don't care about colour or religion... just want a smooth running team. But I'm not nor have any ambition to be in the USA... I do find some modes of talking offensive though I must admit.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
8
8
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
@Fattie it's done every single day everywhere. You just don't give that as the reason for filtering the candidate.
– Kilisi
6 hours ago
2
2
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
@Fattie Kilisi isn’t discriminating based on religion, he’s discriminating based on a very specific activity, proselytising. I’ve no idea its specific legality in the US but it’s — ethically, and potentially legally — a very different thing. For instance, I’m reasonably sure that it would be completely legal to not hire somebody who openly professes to hate gay people due to religious reasons.
– Konrad Rudolph
5 hours ago
1
1
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
@KonradRudolph - yes, but it has a boundary. If someone is personally against drinking, stealing or homosexual activity but can normally accept (and make friends) with people doing that activity (drinkers, thieves or homosexuals) in daily life, seeing them first as people, the boundary was not crossed. There is a big difference between attitude towards someone and towards specific deeds. For example, consider how many "polite people" are stealing software. We still make friends with them, even if we sometimes protest if we directly see them doing piracy.
– miroxlav
4 hours ago
 |Â
show 9 more comments
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3
WWJD? :) It's completely commonplace in the USA, and should be utterly no issue. I would keep it as simply as possible. Just use the absolute minimum words "LDS Mission, to July 2010". End of story! (To be honest, I probably wouldn't even mention that you did some programming work during that service - it's a bit "minor" you know?)
– Fattie
7 hours ago
Keep in mind that some employers don't want anything in applications which hints at your religion. That way they can defend themselves against accusations of religious discrimination by denying that they knew the applicants religion. They will of course not reject you because of this (that would be exactly the discrimination they want to avoid) but they might ask you to resend your application with the religious references removed.
– Philipp
1 hour ago
I would not add "- Cold contacted, presented curriculum" because I read that as "- harassed people at home pushing my views on them" you may see it as a service, but many don't and I wouldn't brag about it.
– Sam
47 mins ago
Are you applying for jobs "where you are from" (i.e. where this is "very common") or are you applying for jobs in another country (or region of your own country)?
– Anthony Grist
26 mins ago