Today’s topic can be very controversial with job seekers especially if they have been out of work for some time. I’m often asked, is it okay to put “to current” on my resume even if I am no longer at the company?
As an insurance recruiter, I understand that you may be trying to create the “perception” that you are still currently employed so that your resume will be selected but leaving “to current” on your resume when it is not true will only create problems for you once you begin the interview process. It is misleading to potential employers, and your deception is going to be discovered usually during the initial screening call. Within a very short period of time, a good interviewer will quickly realize that you are not being truthful about your current employment status. This is when you may be tempted to try to make excuses for putting “to current” on your resume by saying things like “oh, you must have an old resume” or “I just haven’t had time to update my resume” which only makes things worse and immediately casts doubt on your integrity, honesty, and time management. It creates the negative perception in the interviewer’s mind that you do not pay attention to details or don’t care that you submitted information that was not accurate, and if you are interviewing for insurance account management jobs where accuracy and detail are paramount, you could easily find yourself on the “no” list after this first call.
Don’t create unnecessary problems for yourself. Interviewing is hard enough. It’s best to be fully transparent from the start. Use accurate dates on your resume for each job you have held. If you have a significant time gap, just list, “took time off for personal reasons”, and the date range. The interviewer will appreciate your honesty and you will have time to provide more details and context during the screening interview.
We all know that “life happens” and there are numerous reasons for why you may not be employed currently. Be honest, don’t put “to current” on your resume if it isn’t true and you’ll avoid an awkward first interview and will be respected for being honest about your job history.
If you are currently seeking new insurance opportunities, I can help you sort out roles that fit your needs and provide interview coaching. Contact me and let’s discuss your job search goals.
