Resume - exp in another country

[paultaylor04]

I have 5 yrs experience in USA and 4 years in my home country. The latter closed down a while ago and untraceable and I was wondering if I should remove it from my resume. This way, when a prospective employer does a background check, they don't come back to me and say they cannot reach that company. This happened last time and the company I was interviewing with was displeased.

Also, I've seen that non-USA experience doesn't count for much according to many managers. What should I do? I think 5 years experience is pretty good in the IT field and most employers are looking to pay you in the range of what you're making currently. Hence, if taking this 4 years exp out in my home country doesn't really affect too much of the final offer, I don't mind taking it out

Appreciate your advice

 

[dyarwood]

Why not state that it closed down on your resume? If your honest about it then there should be no problem. Are you in touch with anyone from that old company? If so get a personal reference from them.

 

[CajunCenturion]

Your experience is your experience, and all of it contributes to who you are.

A previous employer may no longer exist, nor may your home country, but neither changes the fact that they were an integral part of your history. What you learned from those experiences still exists, and the skills didn't go away, and as such, should be included on your resume.

I also think it's a good idea, as dyarwood offers, to be honest about the situation.

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[Stella740pl]

Do you have any documentation proving your work there (some pay stubs, employment record, etc.)? Do you have a degree from your home country?

Yes, I know, you don't take along many of those things when you move to a new country, or lose some of it. I was not born in USA myself. But if you have some of it, take it to a certified translator (yes, I know you can translate it yourself, so do I ;-)) and translate it into English. Preferably, find a technical translator to take care of your more techy documents. If you have a degree, check what agencies are generally trusted by employers, and evaluate your education there.

While "non-USA experience doesn't count for much according to many managers", you are better off having it than skipping it. You might start omitting it if you wish after you have 10 or more years of USA experience.

Try to find some people that might give you a reference - there is a chance that some of them currently also live and work in USA. Keep phone numbers of those that are still in your home country, too, but rare managers actually call abroad (but it happens, too; and they sometimes find people speaking your language to do that).

As was mentioned above, be honest; it might help you.

 

[paultaylor04]

Guys, thanks for the wonderful responses - you've convinced me of leaving it on my resume

Thank you again!

 

[chiph]

Just leave it on there, and put (now closed) after it so they know that the company is no longer around.

BTW: The company that got displeased are obviously new to the technology business. Companies come, go, and get bought all the time. You were probably wise to not go there.

Also - For a moment I thought you meant the country was no longer there, such as the former East Germany (DDR). Again, anyone who doesn't realize this sometimes happens is not a place I'd want to work.

Chip H.


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