Putting 'embarrassing' companies on your CV

[Fez909]

Have you ever worked for a company whose name you'd rather not appear on your CV? If so, how did you deal with it?

I'm asking for a friend (really!) who has just taken a part time job while studying, doing exactly what they want to do, but the company has an atrocious name. We both think it'll look bad when applying for a 'real' job once the time comes. But as this is their first job in this industry, it'll be essential to put it on the CV.

Any tips for minimizing the 'damage'?

 

[Maharani]

Change the name!

 

[Pickman's model]

Change the name!

what, his name or the company's name?

 

[5t3IIa]

What, like Wonga or something? I mean, bad reputation that everyone knows about or a silly name?

 

[Pickman's model]

What, like Wonga or something?

that's an atrocious industry to want to work in.

 

[5t3IIa]

that's an atrocious industry to want to work in.

Could have done website stuff or something. I think that's probably what Fez means.

 

[Fez909]

What, like Wonga or something? I mean, bad reputation that everyone knows about or a silly name?

Something like that, yeah.

Industry is pretty dubious, though the company name isn't well known. And it's much, much worse than Wonga (purely in name terms!)

 

[Pickman's model]

Something like that, yeah.

Industry is pretty dubious, though the company name isn't well known. And it's much, much worse than Wonga (purely in name terms!)

wanga?

 

[Fez909]

wanga?

I'm trying to think of an example/analogy without giving too much away....give me a few mins

 

[Maharani]

Wankers Ltd?

 

[Fez909]

Wankers Ltd?

OK, seeing as we're going down this route, how about selling Viagra. It's a dubious 'industry', yet isn't immoral (like Wonga!)

Imagine if you worked for an internet company selling Viagra and your company was called We Make U Hard Ltd

It's not quite as bad as that ^ but it'll do for illustrative purposes

 

[Santino]

Does it have a parent company or another trading name?

 

[killer b]

check if it's part of a larger organisation - stupid name companies often are. then give the name of the larger org.

 

[Fez909]

check if it's part of a larger organisation - stupid name companies often are. then give the name of the larger org.

Does it have a parent company or another trading name?

I'm looking into the alt trading name, but no parent company. It's a new 'start up'.

 

[5t3IIa]

I have heard that if one buys something from Lovehoney it shows on one's bank statement as 'LH Ltd UK'. So that might be an idea.

 

[Santino]

Could use the company's initials if all else fails. Unless they spell out F.E.L.C.H. or something.

 

[5t3IIa]

We Make U Hard Ltd

WMUH Ltd

He can have a gigl about it in the interview

 

[Fez909]

Good idea with the initials, thanks!

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

If friend was working for Al Qaeda I would change the name on the CV to ISIS.

hth.

 

[fuck seals]

Have you ever worked for a company whose name you'd rather not appear on your CV? If so, how did you deal with it?

I'm asking for a friend (really!) who has just taken a part time job while studying, doing exactly what they want to do, but the company has an atrocious name. We both think it'll look bad when applying for a 'real' job once the time comes. But as this is their first job in this industry, it'll be essential to put it on the CV.

Any tips for minimizing the 'damage'?

Remove it, and sync your linkedin profile to remove it as well. Especially if it's >10yrs ago; nobody gives a dam what you were doing in 2005.

 

[Fez909]

Remove it, and sync your linkedin profile to remove it as well. Especially if it's >10yrs ago; nobody gives a dam what you were doing in 2005.

They only started the job today

 

[bi0boy]

If it's in the same industry that they want to apply for proper jobs in, surely the proper job interviewers will know that this "bad name" company is a realistic sort of prospect for a part-time foot in the door getting experience kind of thing.

 

[8den]

I have received a cv from someone who worked in porn

 

[Fez909]

If it's in the same industry that they want to apply for proper jobs in, surely the proper job interviewers will know that this "bad name" company is a realistic sort of prospect for a part-time foot in the door getting experience kind of thing.

I reckon so.

No one done shit jobs for shit companies here then? I was hoping this to be a half advice/half amusing anecdote thread.

#notproperurbanz

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

No one done shit jobs for shit companies here then?

5t3IIa !

 

[bi0boy]

I never put Staybrite Windows and Conservatories on my CV when applying for biochemsitry jobs, but it's not very funny.

 

[5t3IIa]

I reckon so.

No one done shit jobs for shit companies here then? I was hoping this to be a half advice/half amusing anecdote thread.

#notproperurbanz

I think I might have read a Vice article about "I was a graphic designer for a gay p0rm website" or something similar.

With some things, it's a gig you do with one eye closed. With other things it's an ethical conundrum but one needs the money.

 

[tufty79]

I have received a cv from someone who worked in porn

I worked on rewriting one (for going into legal work) from a former page 3 model

I've also previously put down that i used to work at 'the condom shop' for a few years (when it was in my immediate past) - it got asked about in more than one interview.

 

[Pickman's model]

Remove it, and sync your linkedin profile to remove it as well. Especially if it's >10yrs ago; nobody gives a dam what you were doing in 2005.

good. then that's the lengthy periods of unemployment finally cast into the outer darkness.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Good idea with the initials, thanks!

When applying to work with catholic nuns I included my relavent experience with a Lesbian and Gay organisation by only using its initials. They didn't ask, or perhaps they already knew and didn't like to ask.

If no one cares about over 10 years ago why do so many places want your full history?