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10/30/2016 10:40:04 PM EDT
I am currently filling out applications to Police Departments and have a question about how I should handle my work history. I have listed the previous places I worked and even the emergency management agency that I volunteer with but my question rise from my business. For the past year I have owned and ran my own business. My business is a one man shop with the only line of money "loaned" would be a small credit card that I use occasionally. Do I need to include my own business on the applications or leave it off? I have asked this around to a few people and have received mixed opinions with some saying yes while others say no.

I have nothing to hide but there isnt a reference ect tied to my business that a department could check with. Any input?
10/30/2016 10:51:22 PM EDT
[#1]
I would put it on there saying self employed. For reference maybe some trusted consumers of your business that know you are applying for the PD.
10/30/2016 10:58:37 PM EDT
[#2]
Leave it off and raise questions.

Not hard to list you were self employed and the business. Or list the business and put your position as owner.
10/30/2016 10:58:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Put it on there.  There's no one to call for a reference and that's ok.
10/31/2016 5:51:39 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks for the responses. I have been going back and forth on if I should list it or not. I will go ahead and include it.
10/31/2016 5:56:46 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
I would put it on there saying self employed. For reference maybe some trusted consumers of your business that know you are applying for the PD.
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This,
10/31/2016 6:43:44 AM EDT
[#6]
Assuming you LLC'd the business, list the business as your employer and job title as owner/president/CEO or whatever you call yourself.

I'd like to know what the argument is from the people who said don't list it?
10/31/2016 7:52:47 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Assuming you LLC'd the business, list the business as your employer and job title as owner/president/CEO or whatever you call yourself.

I'd like to know what the argument is from the people who said don't list it?
View Quote


Some of the people that told me to not list it is because there are not references that I can list from my business. I could list some of my distributors on my reference page if I really had to but my phone calls with them consist of simple talk and placing orders. Plus, with my business only being a little over a year old, Ive shown next to zero profit and my references do not meet many of the five year limits of time known between myself and them.
10/31/2016 8:46:15 AM EDT
[#8]
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Quoted:


This,
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I would put it on there saying self employed. For reference maybe some trusted consumers of your business that know you are applying for the PD.


This,


This is the route I will take. I would prefer to have my business on there rather than the question of an unemployment gap arise. I guess now, the only thing they will ask is how much Ive made ect with my business.
10/31/2016 1:49:44 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Quoted:


Some of the people that told me to not list it is because there are not references that I can list from my business. I could list some of my distributors on my reference page if I really had to but my phone calls with them consist of simple talk and placing orders. Plus, with my business only being a little over a year old, Ive shown next to zero profit and my references do not meet many of the five year limits of time known between myself and them.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Assuming you LLC'd the business, list the business as your employer and job title as owner/president/CEO or whatever you call yourself.

I'd like to know what the argument is from the people who said don't list it?


Some of the people that told me to not list it is because there are not references that I can list from my business. I could list some of my distributors on my reference page if I really had to but my phone calls with them consist of simple talk and placing orders. Plus, with my business only being a little over a year old, Ive shown next to zero profit and my references do not meet many of the five year limits of time known between myself and them.


All of that is immensely easier to explain than an employment gap.
11/1/2016 8:14:45 AM EDT
[#10]
I was self employed for 7 years and put that down when I started. Nobody asked about it really.
11/1/2016 6:51:35 PM EDT
[#11]
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Quoted:


All of that is immensely easier to explain than an employment gap.
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Assuming you LLC'd the business, list the business as your employer and job title as owner/president/CEO or whatever you call yourself.

I'd like to know what the argument is from the people who said don't list it?


Some of the people that told me to not list it is because there are not references that I can list from my business. I could list some of my distributors on my reference page if I really had to but my phone calls with them consist of simple talk and placing orders. Plus, with my business only being a little over a year old, Ive shown next to zero profit and my references do not meet many of the five year limits of time known between myself and them.


All of that is immensely easier to explain than an employment gap.


Agree.

Are you keeping your business as a "side gig"?

That I might be careful about. No potential employer wants an employee they are competing for time with... More time with the PD or more time with his growing business?

Could very easily, and most likely, be viewed as a bad investment.
11/3/2016 11:03:33 AM EDT
[#12]
As someone who reviews applications for pre-employment, there is NEVER a valid reason to leave a job off your application if it falls within the time frame requested by the agency (last 10 years for my agency). People do this ALL THE TIME. It is aggravating and does not speak well for someone's ability to follow directions or properly fill out paperwork.