Looking for honest advice.

17 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 6:22PM UTC

   Update your resume for day forward to show your end date. If you made it to the interview stage it is highly likely that it does not matter to them and they just want to know how you are going to add to their workforce in terms of your knowledge, skills and abilities. Just focus on that. If the question ever comes up be prepared to answer. But dont lead with that.

2. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 6:40PM UTC

   No, you are still employed so dont just volunteer the info. Its distracting. Just let any company that actually asks why you are leaving that your company has hit hard times and your position will be eliminated.

   This will convey that's your exit is not performance driven, you are being proactive in your job search and that you will be available.

3. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 6:51PM UTC

   Are you getting severance of some sort…. Usually you can milk the employment until you are off the payroll! It’s technically not lying!

4. Tomilyn RichardsJune 30,2022 at 6:56PM UTC

   I don't think it is anything to worry about, I think there are a lot of circumstances that happen like this. I dont judge on the resume when they aren't 100% updated and I think many companies are giving grace right now and have for the last 2 years.

5. Sarah Cleveland, SPHR, ACCJune 30,2022 at 7:08PM UTC

   My recommendation would be to provide that update when the company provides updates to you and/or moves you to the next round of interviews - ideally, communicate directly with the recruiter to provide this update. In this current climate, this is common (unfortunately!) and you'll just need to update your application before it goes into any background check, you usually can make that update or ensure the recruiter has that documented.

   Real-time updates are part of the job search, on both sides. The good news is that you got a head start in your search! Good luck as you continue to interview and in your next role!

6. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterJune 30,2022 at 7:14PM UTC

   I concur with your wise advice, Sarah!

7. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 12:40AM UTC

   I think if you started the interview process, I think one way to work it in naturally is to mention that you can start earlier because during the process your company conducted RIFs. I don't think you need to resubmit your resume or bring it up unless you get further along in the process, personally.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 1,2022 at 12:58AM UTC

   I wouldn't worry about this too much with companies you've already applied to.

   If you're asked directly, you can say your company did a RIF - but what were you saying before? I'd think that's a better answer. If they don't bring it up, I wouldn't unless it comes up organically in the coversation say if they ask you for a start date - if you say you can start in one week, I would explain that - you don't want them to think you'd leave them in a lurch with just one week's notice.

   Going forward, you could say your previous answer and add that your company just did a RIF so that reinforced the decision you had already made to make a move.

   When you update your resume, list this last position as a RIF - especially if it was a short amount of time.

9. Linda ZhouJuly 1,2022 at 6:08PM UTC

   Thank you, this sounds like great advice. One question: from a talent acquisition specialist or recruiter's perspective, is seeing a position described as "RIF" on a resume a good or bad thing? Does it make the applicant seem desperate? Or is it perceived well since the applicant may likely accept and start immediately?

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 1,2022 at 6:42PM UTC

    It's neither a good nor bad thing.
    Please get this "desperate" nonsense out of your head.

    I have never ever, nor do I know any recruiter that has ever, looked at a resume or LinkedIn profile and said "ooo - that person must be desperate".

    What would that even MEAN? Recruiters get jobs, we go through the job search process just like everyone else. I, myself, get ghosted on the regular. We, like everyone else, like living indoors, like having electricity, water, paying our bills.

    If you're referring to the nonsense on LinkedIn about the green "open to work" banner - please do not pay attention to that. I love it when I see someone with the green banner or the "open to work" indicator turned on. It means that they're an active candidate - which recruiters LOVE - and hopefully means you're more likely to respond to my message.

    Since you're starting a job search, I would offer this advice on taking advice: pay attention to who is offering that advice.

    Is the person telling you that you need to have an "ATS compliant resume" (which is a total BS thing, btw) a "resume writer" looking to charge you - sometimes a lot of money - to rewrite your resume? You're not going to hear that advice coming from an actual recruiter. Also please don't believe any nonsense you hear about keywords or the ATS AI rejecting your resume.

    The reason I suggested that you put RIF on the resume, is that if I was interviewing you, I would be sensitive to asking questions around why you were looking to make a change. Getting laid off can be traumatic and I don't want to make the interview process more stressful for anyone.

    In addition, for some people - not that many anymore - who are hung up on short stints or why you left - it shuts down that entire line of inquiry. That's really not a thing since covid.

    It can look like this on your resume:

    XYZ Company - RIF
    Senior Project Manager
    January 2020 to July 2022

    Please let me know if you have questions about anything.

11. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 9:03PM UTC

    Thank you for your thorough and honest advice!

12. AnonymousJuly 15,2022 at 12:29PM UTC

    Hi there! A follow up question. How long is a reasonable time for a company to give you to consider whether to accept an offer? I reveived an offer from 1 company yesterday, but I’m still in the process of interviewing at my dream company which will take another week. Is 1 week of time too long to ask to consider? Any strategies for postponing the decision making deadline? Any risk the company will rescind the offer? Thank you!

13. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 15,2022 at 4:57PM UTC

    Typically offers must be responded to within 48 to 72 hours (not including weekends).

    Occasionally, if there's some special circumstance, the company may give longer, but waiting for a better offer is not one of those circumstances.

    You can try reaching out to company two and tell them you have an offer on the table and see if they can speed up their process. Sometimes they can, sometimes they can't.

    If the second company wasn't in the mix, how would you feel about the offer from the first company? If it was an offer you'd accept if company number two wasn't a factor, I would suggest you accept the offer. It might not be the coolest thing to do, but you can continue to interview with company number two - if they make you an offer, you'll have to tell company number one, sorry - but I'm declining your offer. Again, not the coolest thing to do, but it's really the only way to make sure you don't wind up with no offers (ie - turn down company one to wait for an offer from company two and they don't make one).

    Why do you say company two is your "dream company"? And what about the job at that company? Is it your "dream job"? I would recommend you pay really close attention to any potential red flags that pop up and don't ignore them just because you think it's your dream company. There are posts on here every week from folks who say "I took what I thought was my dream job/dream company and it's turning out to be a nightmare".

    And yes, companies can rescind their offers and do it all the time.

    Please let me know if you have any questions.

    GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on what happens!

14. AnonymousJuly 15,2022 at 10:45PM UTC

    Thank you Joan. Such great advice. You’re absolutely right, company 1 is a great offer and a great company that I would be happy to accept. Company 2 is great in some ways, not in others. To be honest now that I think about it more I will likely accept company 1. Thank you!!

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 16,2022 at 4:56PM UTC

    You're very welcome!

    GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW ADVENTURE!!

16. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 1,2022 at 1:22PM UTC

    You're ok. When asked, most companies will only provide to a potential employer the dates of your employment and perhaps your salary (depending on state).

    Therefore, the potential company would know that you were employed as you stated.

    I just had this thought... This could be a blessing in disguise for you. If one of these potential companies needs help right now - you're free to start right away!

    All the best!

17. Eva SteortzJuly 1,2022 at 11:21PM UTC

    Just disclose it when you reconnect. No need to make a special outreach about it. Transparency is always the best policy. Interviewers typically ask questions about your current or prior role so your answers will change now but don't worry about those past discussions. Focus on your strengths, accomplishments and enthusiasm for the new companies' brand and mission and how you can support their goals.