Lying on Resume about dates of employment? (consulting, interviews, references)

[nj21]

I really think my work experience isn't that bad, but since I've only done contract/remporary work, I look something like a job hopper.

I've worked my current job for 5 months, one job for 2 months, one for 3 months and one for 6 months (in my field)

I make sure to notate on my resume that they are contract jobs.

I really think this is holding me back, and I haven't had a permanent job since I graduated in 2009.

Is it okay to just expand those dates a little bit? Especially if I have a couple of personal references that I am still in contact with?

[joe from dayton]

I not sure what kind of meaningful expansion you are going to give to such short term jobs. If background checks are done, it is easy enough to determine that you are not being truthful and your resume will hit the circular file.

[Billy_J]

Well if you are not finding any work by being honest, then I would say you have nothing to lose by fudging a bit. That might not work with larger companies which check on these things. Smaller businesses maybe.

You could also combine all those jobs above into one listing. Like... Contract work 2010 to 2012. Did this and that for the following companies.... Or if all through one temp agency, then just list the temp agency.

[BabyBoomers2]

Graduation from high school or college? Either way, have you had any phone interviews or "in-person" interviews that would make you think that those dates are stopping you from getting a full-time job? And, by "extending" the dates, just how long are you talking about? You've had three contract jobs and none of them were even a year long. In todays "job search", it is extremely difficult-to-even inpossible to say anything on a resume that isn't the truth.

[joe from dayton]

I like Billy's idea.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by LoveBoating

Graduation from high school or college? Either way, have you had any phone interviews or "in-person" interviews that would make you think that those dates are stopping you from getting a full-time job? And, by "extending" the dates, just how long are you talking about? You've had three contract jobs and none of them were even a year long. In todays "job search", it is extremely difficult-to-even inpossible to say anything on a resume that isn't the truth.

Graduation from college. I've only had about 2 screening interviews. And I mostly get calls from recruiters with agencies that lead to nowhere.

[veuvegirl]

I would do something similar to what Billy stated. Instead of contracter you could be "President of Consulting NJ21" and list the jobs underneath that you 'consulted on'.

[annerk]

This is where a functional resume that focuses on your skills is far more appropriate than a chronological resume. And use the word CONTRACT when listing the employers. Hiring managers aren't stupid, they know that contract work is generally fairly short term in nature. This should all be addressed briefly in your cover letter.