Prior Employment

[Jaime]

I worked for my parents for several years and used it as a job reference for some of my other jobs, however it won’t show up under my social security number as they gave me money for school and other things in exchange, how would I handle this on the application?

[mcsap]

I would not take this as a bad thing. If you worked for a stranger , it would seem odd. Parents, not a big deal. Still, tell the truth.

[Jaime]

So would I put this under employment? And I was living with them at the time if that makes a difference.

[rdp]

Tell them everything...........it is that simple.

[Jaime]

I’m not going to leave it out; I’m just asking if that is considered employment or something else.

[BigGerman]

Leave it out. Unless you paid taxes on it.

[rdp]

No.....include it. If I find out you even worked for your neighbor and didn't tell me, we are going to have a problem.

This is employment, you better include it.

Don't include it, in other words LIE, you will be done. I guarantee it.

[mcsap]

Nothing wrong with working for and living with your parents. Now if a certain "king of pop" wants you to work for and live with HIM...

[BigGerman]

The law says you must pay taxes or at least report any.....I repeat....ANY...income or compensation(volunteer work)...if you made money and did not report it on your taxes.....you have broken the law....it is possible they will ask to see your returns....

[mcsap]

Most certainly DO NOT leave it out. How are you going to explain a couple of years of not working ? Unless you were a fulltime student.

I was never asked for tax returns at ANY job I applied for.

Apps want to know a work HISTORY so they can tell if you are a bum or if you can even hold a job.

[Stump]

Originally posted by BigGerman
The law says you must pay taxes or at least report any.....I repeat....ANY...income or compensation(volunteer work)...if you made money and did not report it on your taxes.....you have broken the law....it is possible they will ask to see your returns....

The law also says you shouldn't be asked if you have a record (excluding felonies), but LE applications can ask if you've ever been arrested.
I would definitely include it. Most depts wonder if there is a gap in employment. Even if you weren't paid with cash money, it still should be included.

[BigGerman]

I had a similar situation........they said no problem...can we see your returns....I sais sure...but it is not on there...they said oh?...what did you do with the money?.......in the end they made me file amended returns.... not fun

List it but list it as helping out......not for compensation....a gap is not good but 5 years from now you could be labled a tax cheat by a crafty attorney who is representing some crook that you busted for fraud. Now how could you be a credible witness when you did it yourself. Your police departmrnt application that lists it as a job becomes an official department document.