Submitted by dotwrnr on
in
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In March I left my first-line IT manager position at a University, where I had been for four years, to take a job as a Service Manager with a start-up. At the end of the 30-day probation period with the start-up (first week of May), I was let go. They told me I wasn't keeping up with the fast pace. They also weren't happy that I couldn't handle help desk tickets on top of managing.
At any rate, I am now left with a resume problem. I can put the start-up on the resume (dates of April 2016 - May 2016) but surely any hiring manager that sees that I left my most recent job after two months is going to throw my resume straight into in the trash, correct?
So I thought I might just leave the start-up off my resume, but now I look like I have been out of work since March. If I leave the start-up off my resume, how do I explain why I left the University? I could tell a hiring manager I left to go into business for myself, but then why am I looking for a job after only two months of self-employment? That would look kind of flighty. Or I could tell the hiring manager I left to take care of an elderly relative who has since passed on, but if they talk to my references at the University, they will find out that isn't true.
I'm feeling very stuck right now.
Honesty Is Key
First, I'm sorry to hear that you were let go at the end of your probation period. That's rough.
You may want to listen to the cast on getting fired (https://www.manager-tools.com/2011/03/getting-fired-part-1). I recommend putting the startup on your resume, as well as prep to answer questions about it in your interview. Honesty is going to be key here, because no one will hire you if they find our that you are trying to hide anything potentially shady in the past.
Try the cast. It's a great listen. Again, I'm really sorry about the job loss.
Agree with above comments
"surely any hiring manager that sees that I left my most recent job after two months is going to throw my resume straight into in the trash, correct?"
Not necessarily. I second the comments above, you need to be honest on the resume and prepare to address the firing in an interview. I think you can state the facts - that you were hired as a manager yet also expected to handle support tickets while learning the role. Many hiring managers and I think HR too will understand that was not a good situation or recipe for success. I have been fired twice - you aren't alone. Be professional, don't say anything negative about the employer. Listen to that podcast mentionned above, it will help.
one more thought - I've worked at a college and they are usually very slow at filling open positions. Perhaps there's a chance of going back to your old role? Just a thought.