Qualified Yet Not

[veronica15]

I have applied as a part time reservist and am in the processing of acquiring my transcripts. I am looking for administrative and support types of positions within the CAF. With that in mind I am not the standard type of person who would join the CF. I searched for threads related to my questions on the forum but really couldn't find what I was looking for.

I am a 36 year old female. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition. For the past 9 years I have essentially been at home raising children with part time, full time, and periods of no employment. I have had 4 different jobs in the past 5 years. Some were 2 months with the longest being 1.5 years. I was also on an extended leave of absence during this period which resulted in a lay off. That was in 2013. My current employment is very part time and in a service position, unrelated to my education, working 3-6 hours per week.

So with that in mind I am concerned about my employment history and the contact with my employer whom I left after a leave of absence. She is very moody and unprofessional depending on her day. I wouldn't know what she would say about me. Every other employer prior was on good terms with myself. I have never had an issue like this before. Unfortunately I was there 1.5 years and was my last job.

So my questions are as follows:

Does working very little over the last 5 years with a leave of absence and one poor reference overly concerning?

I have essentially been at home for many years with my family and really do not have any educational references, professional references, or personal references that have known me for 5 years. Essentially I only have peers and family.

Is this going to be an issue?

I am not sure if I should continue the process as I would rather not waste the time of the recruiter or myself if I am not what CAF is looking for. What do you think?
Any insight would be great! Thanks in advance.

 

[Leeworthy]

Hey there, congrats on making the first step to apply to the CF. I wouldn't worry to much about who they contact. They are basically using the info to confirm you were employed with that company basically for background verification. As long as you can prove you worked there, even if they contact HR and ask did so and so work there and if so from what dates yadda yadda they count that as a positive check. Not everyone you work for is going to be positive lol.

I left the CF just over 4 years ago now. Since then I have worked 7 places in that time period. And also went back to school in there for a new trade as well. When I did my interview the Capt basically just asked me why I left those positions. I just told her to find better employment, which is the truth. Like I said, I don't think they care why you left the position you had as long as you can give them a good reason why you left. In your case you left to be a stay at home mom and provide for your children, that's not something they are going to look down upon, to me that's a positive thing. And as for now, it seems you are working what you can to provide for your children well still looking after them and being a parent to them. Sounds good in my books.

So just be honest and truthful with them and you shouldn't have an issue. Also, you can choose who you want to be contacted for your references, if you don't think that employer will give any positive feedback then where it says "may we contact this employer" just tick no. That's your right to do. And they can't question it, if they do simply tell the interviewer that she wouldn't have anything positive to say due to her being a negative person.

Good luck and I wish you the best in your process.