A dubious work history can taint your job search, and many employers don't waste time investigating unless your credentials surpass most of the competition. Emphasize your accomplishments and practice providing tactful answers to overcome a negative past.
If a past position is irrelevant or not your most recent job, consider whether you can leave it off your resume. Otherwise, restructure your resume to make sure employers see the most appealing information first. Start with "Relevant Work History" or "Career Highlights" in chronological order, and list "Additional Work Experience" at the end.
In cover letters and interviews, address red flags before recruiters ask, but never speak negatively about your former employers. Past colleagues can easily discredit you if you're dishonest, so focus on what you learned or how you grew from a bad job experience. Use your answers to reinforce your eagerness to work with the company. For example, downplay a dismissal or job-hopping reputation by explaining you were not a good fit for your past position and want to pursue a job/employer that complements your strengths.
When a negative job experience forms the bulk of your work history, gather alternative evidence of your skills. Choose supportive references who can confirm your strengths. Recruiters may contact past bosses even if they aren't listed references, so bypass them by asking human resources to provide references that only confirm your job title and dates of employment.
In the meantime, start developing side projects or volunteering to demonstrate recent success in relevant roles. The goal is to create an active portfolio of work that shows your growth potential, ability to adapt and record of high achievement.
Photo Courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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