Explain CV with previous Foreign Military Service

Curious Mike

The heading says it all. Retrained recently but when i go to interviews i think they suspect i am not been entirely truthful as regards why i emigrated to UK. I usually say i wanted to travel although i was only briefly regular service, the rest TA. So should i just tell them in the interview to better explain my previous work history? I definitely will not put it on my cv!

hmmm

You moved to the UK and joined the army? What's wrong with that on your CV?

cloudatlas

Do you think that employers will be prejudiced towards you because you joined the British forces? Military personnel have very strong leadership, communication, teamwork and organisation skills, all things that are valuable in any work place.

As far as your C.V. goes I would think that military experience would be very applicable in a lot of work environments and also make you stand out. Get out a piece of paper and under the headings communications, team work, I.T. skills, logistics, leaderships, etc.. jot down what you did in the army then write a couple of sentences and get a friend to look over it to make sure it translates to a civilian environment.

Boldberry

Were dishonourably discharged?

Curious Mike

No i was not dishonorably discharged.

Arthur Beesley

I'd be pretty surprised if any prospective employer held this against you.

Boombastic

I'm not sure why you wouldn't put it on

How do you intend explaining the gap if you don't?

DesertCreat_15

I think a lot of people are unaware of personal security issues. I can understand where you are coming from in that regard. It's a touchy subject for sure.

You could add it to your CV without any mention of the B.A on it I guess. Depending on the job you're applying for, you could even bluff and say the Irish defence forces !

Boldberry

Curious Mike wrote: »

No i was not dishonorably discharged.

Then I wouldn't see a problem.

Ging Ging

Are you AWOL?
Just phrase something about military service on cv -positives, then if asked in interview Im sure you can say more as you decide. Id imagine most employers wouldnt ave a problem, but they may have a problem with people trying to hide something or lying.

Curious Mike

DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

I think a lot of people are unaware of personal security issues. I can understand where you are coming from in that regard. It's a touchy subject for sure.

You could add it to your CV without any mention of the B.A on it I guess. Depending on the job you're applying for, you could even bluff and say the Irish defence forces !

Yes that's my angle. I grew up in the west of Ireland in the eighties/nineties. So you can understand my concern. In fact i was only about 40 miles from the border. Things have changed i know but old prejudices remain particularly among some and particularly with older generations.

Curious Mike

No i am not awol. For christ's sake.

cloudatlas

Curious Mike wrote: »

No i am not awol. For christ's sake.

M.I.A ?

JustAddWater

cloudatlas wrote: »

M.I.A ?

MI5?

Lemming

Curious Mike, if you're looking at jobs in the UK (I have no idea where you are, only that you are originally from the west), there is an organisation called SABRE that helps those with service history with current & prospective employers and any difficulties or prejudices that may be encountered. They may at the very least be able to offer some experience & advice that would stand to you whether you are seeking work in the UK or in Ireland.


Edit: www.sabre.mod.uk - whilst reservist oriented, they may be of some assistance.

Stheno

And if you are looking for work in the UK particularly in IT, multiple jobs there require security clearance so your past is an advantage.

Or are you just focussing your jobsearch in Ireland and worried about that negative impact?

blindsider

DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

You could add it to your CV without any mention of the B.A on it I guess. Depending on the job you're applying for, you could even bluff and say the Irish defence forces !

NO!!!!!

Please re-think this advice. You should never, ever lie on your CV - esp. something serious like this.

If you lie on your CV and are caught, you can be fired immediately!

OP - you could always put e.g. 'military service - position - duration' w/o saying where you served - when you get to interview, they'll ask.

There's nothing written down that may cause you trouble later (but I'd hope the chances of that are very slim.)

DesertCreat_15

blindsider wrote: »

NO!!!!!

Please re-think this advice. You should never, ever lie on your CV - esp. something serious like this.

If you lie on your CV and are caught, you can be fired immediately!

OP - you could always put e.g. 'military service - position - duration' w/o saying where you served - when you get to interview, they'll ask.

There's nothing written down that may cause you trouble later (but I'd hope the chances of that are very slim.)

Hence the reason i said Depends on the job, if its something like driving a forklift or delivering milk, do you think its going to be an issue?

Manach

Honestly, any form of military service is a positive (having worked along side some excellent ex-servicemen).

paul9720

wouldnt worry about it im moving to west cork soon and ive got TA and reg history on my CV , most employers go for ex forces guys now i think
good luck

Tordelback

I understand your concerns, but do you want to be working for someone who's going to hold your military service against you? I've employed and/or worked with plenty of ex-British (and Irish) Army people over the years, and I'd be very surprised to learn that most Irish people haven't got a relative in the TA or BA. I really can't see many employers seeing it as anything other than a positive.