Disclosure of Past Work History

[iceeyedwolf]

I was wondering whether or not anyone could give me some advice on disclosure of past work history. When I was a young man in high school there were some jobs that I worked, primarily Blockbuster and Steak n Shake (fast food joint out east) which I quit without notice. There was also a job which I worked in Nevada before moving home that I was terminated from immediately following giving them a two-week notice. Not sure why, but when they found out I was quitting, they stated that they were not satisfied with my output and terminated me the next morning.

Since that time I have made many changes in my life. I got married, am now going to school and getting a degree at the end of this fall, and have worked for two years for the university police at my school operating parking enforcement. I have requested and have received letters of recommendation from the officers on campus. On top of that, I will be attending the police academy in January (the state I live in one can go to the academy before being hired and then apply as a POST certified applicant afterward).

But the thing that worries me is my past work history in spite of the more recent accomplishments. Will I have a chance to explain the circumstances around those jobs? I have no intent of omitting information at all, but at the same time I want to be able to explain that I was a young dumb kid at the time that I worked for Blockbuster and Steak n Shake, and that I was terminated after giving two weeks notice in Nevada. Would the interviewing agency take into consideration that I am being up front with them, and that almost a decade has passed since these things have occured? Would they look at the letters of recommendations from officers, my degree, GPA, and lack of criminal history as a means of gauging whether or not I have made sufficient strides in maturity and reliability?

I have no beef with being and letting the chips fall where they may with regard to my work history. But at the same time I hope that reasonable consideration can be given to the progress which has been made over the past several years. Please give me your advice.......be it good, rude or indifferent. Thank you!

[mcsap]

Divulge all and include whatever explanation you like. Young persons in their teens and 20's tend to change jobs a LOT. Don't sweat it. If you have matured and changed , it will show.

Not including info COULD result in them thinking that you are trying to hide something. Almost EVERYONE has been fired or " let go" at some point. As long as you didn't commit some crime , you'll be fine.

[Joeyd6]

Ditto what MSCAP said!

[PJMurphy]

Here is the rule of thumb when investigating someones background for employment: "Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior."
that being said, getting tossed from Steak & Shake, Blockbuster or whatever is not going to carry much weight against the recommendation of a PO.