CV Trouble

Right Turn Clyde

I've spent the past 5 years in college (1 year access course, 4 year degree). I'm a qualified tradesman so during each of those summers I worked for myself, cash-in-hand. The trouble is that it's left a huge gap in my CV. I knew that would happen, and each year I'd tell myself that I wouldn't do it again. But then June would come around, and the well-paid nixers would start to come in. I just couldn't turn them down. On the plus-side I was working for myself, and I think that shows a bit of initiative. But the fact that it was cash-in-hand makes it sound a bit dodgy. Fair enough, it is dodgy, in the sense that I wasn't paying tax. But I was working hard and to a high standard, so I don't feel like it was wasted time. I just need to make it sound valuable in my CV. How can I present this information? How can I make it sound worthwhile? And how can a deal with it if it comes up in an interview? Thanks.

Mrs OBumble

You don't need to mention that it was cash-in-hand on your CV or at interview: just say that you worked as a (painter or whatever), doing repeat-business jobs from previous clients. Maybe even give some of them as references (if it's relevant) - what matters is your work ethic, not your pay arrangements.





But - this being board.ie and thus on the right side of the law - I must say that you need to declare this income to Revenue. What's more, seeing as you were a student for the rest of the year, I'd guess that your overall earnings were quite low, so you most likely don't owe any tax. But you still need to declare it.