Airline Pilot Central Forums - View Single Post - How should I explain a resignation when I was employed for a short time?

08-10-2008, 06:24 AM

#5

Lori Clark

Gets Weekends Off

Joined APC: Mar 2005

Position: Aviation Consultant

Posts: 320

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicale

I resigned from a major career due to a family emergency. However, the emergency ended as soon as I resigned. Prior to my resignation, I asked the company to give me a one weeks leave, but they didn't, because I was still in training doing my IOE, and I already had another one week leave.
Now, I am applying to similar airlines, but I worry that the recruiters will see my resume, and will think that I might of been fired, due to my short employement period, and they may never invite me for an interview. They might think who would quit in such a bad time, from one of the best airlines, when there are few airlines hiring now. But, if they call me for an interview, I have my resignation letter, good references from that airline, and medical reports for my family emergency to prove that I haven't been fired.
Will I really have hard time finding a job?

Any advise will be appreciated

nicale,

You're right, anyone reading your resume, or application, noting a short employment period will assume there were training issues and you were terminated – regardless of whether it was through resigning or firing. Unfortunately you really can't help that. But the good news is that most people will want to know what happened, not just rule you out because you didn't pass the "other guy's" training.

Without knowing the details of what happened it's difficult to advise. But like the others have stated, present the facts of what happened and if possible I would recommend presenting your training record from that employer.

It is all in the presentation - How you present what happened during your tenure at that company. Recruiters and interviewers will be looking for excuses as it just doesn't make sense that an employer would invest that much money in you only to terminate because you had a medical emergency in the family. Harsh, but true. Let's face it, you were in IOE, which means they already invested thousands in your sim training. It is in their best interest to get you on line and producing revenue. That is what will be going through the minds of the recruiters and interviewers.

You might have a hard time finding a job - given the state of the industry, not just this event on your resume. Everyone who is looking at possible furlough is out looking as well. Competitiveness has shot up dramatically and will continue to climb if airlines shut down or furlough. I don't know where you fall competitive-wise, so that's another difficult one to call.

I hope this helps and I wish you the very BEST.
Lori

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