How long do I need to have a job to include it on resume?

musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited May 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
I got a job the other day, after months and months of searching. Was a recent college grad with NO work experience, but got an entry level job as a bagger at a grocery store. In many ways the whole reason why I took this job was to get something, anything on my resume, so that the next time I looked for a job I would at least have some experience (working with the public etc...). Thus making it easier to get a future job. The jobs that turned me down prior to my luck getting this job, were ones that required experience, which as I said, with no job experience at all, was something that I didnt have.

So, my question is, assuming I dont stay at this job forever, how long would an employer like to see that I worked at a specific job site? 6 months? 1 year? 2? etc... What is the minimum? I assume future employers would jump to hire me if I only stayed at the job for 2 months, but what about 4 months? 6 months? etc... I see this job i have as a stepping stone.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • GraySaturdayGraySaturday Posts: 2,878
    an employer looks at your experience in a number of ways. How eager are you to move up, how dedicated are you, how have you picked your experience to further yourself, and how will you treat your further positions.

    If your only job is 2-4 months long, I would say you'd need a VERY good explanation as to why you are moving on. It always looks good to not be a job hopper. If you have a specific reason for leaving at 4 months like, ie, the next position is directly related, but a step up from your current job, then it makes more sense. If you are leaving in 4 months for a totally different job that has no relation to the first an employer is going to look at that like you don't know what you want, and you might do the same to them in 4 months.

    Try to look at it from their perspective.
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    thanks, that helps, anyone else want to chime in. The position I would want in the future would be something non related, something creative in music, film, art etc... Working at a bookstore, cd store, movie store etc... All those required experience
  • GraySaturdayGraySaturday Posts: 2,878
    thanks, that helps, anyone else want to chime in. The position I would want in the future would be something non related, something creative in music, film, art etc... Working at a bookstore, cd store, movie store etc... All those required experience

    I know you asked for other's opinions, but I have to chime in one more time. Its great that you're trying to work up to something else you'd like. In college I worked at Barnes and Noble, and they really would take anyone with retail experience. Try to get on the register at your work, and just do a good job. I'd say 8-12 months would look really good to another place. I know that seems like forever, but what you are doing now, is technically retail, and what you want to do is retail, so just show drive in your current position and make good references along the way.. You'll get there soon!
  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    Listen to Gray, she's giving good advice. I'd recommend 6-12 months at least with this job. It's not the type of job(I would think) that a future employer would look down on for job hopping if you were to find something better.
    NERDS!
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    Listen to Gray, she's giving good advice. I'd recommend 6-12 months at least with this job. It's not the type of job(I would think) that a future employer would look down on for job hopping if you were to find something better.


    thanks y'all. It justs hard. its my first job ever as I said, and it just feels like I know I want to do something important in life. I know it. I feel it. And 6-12 months just seems like such an eternity. Its all so frustrating. But it looks like I will have to stick with it! Why cant I feel so certain about anything other than music? For me, I know music is the be and end all in my life. It is it! As I stated in a previous thread it is the reason I am alive. It keeps me going. But anything else in life, everything else, I am ambivilent about and uncertain and lost
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    its like my hero Hermann hesse said, "I only want to live my life in accordance with my ideals, values and morals, why is that so hard?"
  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    thanks y'all. It justs hard. its my first job ever as I said, and it just feels like I know I want to do something important in life. I know it. I feel it. And 6-12 months just seems like such an eternity. Its all so frustrating. But it looks like I will have to stick with it! Why cant I feel so certain about anything other than music? For me, I know music is the be and end all in my life. It is it! As I stated in a previous thread it is the reason I am alive. It keeps me going. But anything else in life, everything else, I am ambivilent about and uncertain and lost

    Are you in Portland or still down in the Eugene area? If you were to be in Portland I'd think job in the music industry wouldn't be as hard. You could probably work at a club doing some type of job. Plus being a straight-edger, being always able to pass a drug test will help you out quite a bit :)
    NERDS!
  • markymark550markymark550 Columbia, SC Posts: 5,172
    Since this is only a temporary job for you, I wouldn't worry about how long you work there. If you find a better opportunity in the career field that you desire, you should go for it. It would be very easy to explain in an interview that you took your current job because you were right out of college, needed a job (especially if you have rent, bills, student loans, etc. to pay), and that was all that was available at the time. Now if you start switching jobs routinely after a few months, you might have a harder time explaining that, but for right now I wouldn't worry too much about it.
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    Are you in Portland or still down in the Eugene area? If you were to be in Portland I'd think job in the music industry wouldn't be as hard. You could probably work at a club doing some type of job. Plus being a straight-edger, being always able to pass a drug test will help you out quite a bit :)


    still in eugene.
  • AnonAnon Posts: 11,175
    Since this is only a temporary job for you, I wouldn't worry about how long you work there. If you find a better opportunity in the career field that you desire, you should go for it. It would be very easy to explain in an interview ....

    totally agree. lots of reasons to look for something that pays more, is an easier commute, better hours, etc; this is just a stepping stone and it actually works in your benefit to take something that is an overall better opportunity than to stay there and try to accumulate time on the job. Good luck to you!
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