Can I leave it on my cv?
August 16, 2011 2:48 AM Subscribe
Can I include it on my cv?
As a freelancer, I've worked for many different publications. There was one in particular which never paid me and I eventually had to threaten to take them to small claims court (they then paid at the eleventh hour, after months and months of hassle). I did the work for them fair and square and there were never any problems during the months I worked in their office, except, of course, for the fact that they didn't pay me. They have however never spoken to me since I finished the work.
My question is, should I drop this work from my cv? It was good work and I did a good job. However, if I put it on my cv and it's searchable online, they may well claim that I didn't do the work for them or that I didn't do it well. Neither of those things is true, but I have the feeling that my argument that they owed me thousands of euros and I had to sue them for it is not going to sound good either. Should I forget the whole thing and chalk it up to experience?
Bonus points: Why do I feel so ashamed about this, as if I was the cheat and rip-off merchant?
(I've learned from my mistake since then and now tell clients that I can't continue working once my invoices are past 30 days overdue. It has never been a problem and my invoices are paid cheerfully.)
As a freelancer, I've worked for many different publications. There was one in particular which never paid me and I eventually had to threaten to take them to small claims court (they then paid at the eleventh hour, after months and months of hassle). I did the work for them fair and square and there were never any problems during the months I worked in their office, except, of course, for the fact that they didn't pay me. They have however never spoken to me since I finished the work.
My question is, should I drop this work from my cv? It was good work and I did a good job. However, if I put it on my cv and it's searchable online, they may well claim that I didn't do the work for them or that I didn't do it well. Neither of those things is true, but I have the feeling that my argument that they owed me thousands of euros and I had to sue them for it is not going to sound good either. Should I forget the whole thing and chalk it up to experience?
Bonus points: Why do I feel so ashamed about this, as if I was the cheat and rip-off merchant?
(I've learned from my mistake since then and now tell clients that I can't continue working once my invoices are past 30 days overdue. It has never been a problem and my invoices are paid cheerfully.)
Do you need it on your CV? If you are young or thin on experience and sort of need it there, then there is no harm in keeping it. If somebody asks for references just don't use them. In the US, nobody would call them unannounced. They would ask you for references, and call only those names you supplied. I'm not sure how it works on your side of the pond.
If you have plenty of other good work for your CV, just leave it off. A CV / resume is a sales document for you. It's not a comprehensive accounting of everything you've ever done.
posted by COD at 4:54 AM on August 16, 2011
If you have plenty of other good work for your CV, just leave it off. A CV / resume is a sales document for you. It's not a comprehensive accounting of everything you've ever done.
posted by COD at 4:54 AM on August 16, 2011
If it's on there, a potential client might contact them (because they know someone there or because they think that calling someone not in your list of references might be a good way to find out more about you). I completely disagree that potential employers or clients will not call folks unannounced. Some feel that if it's on your CV, it's fair game.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:14 AM on August 16, 2011
posted by bluedaisy at 10:14 AM on August 16, 2011
In 20 years in the business world in the US, nobody has ever, ever cold a previous employer of mine looking for a reference. In fact, in the majority, maybe vast majority of US companies, all you will ever get out of a reference call is "Yes he worked here in 2010. No, I can't say any more of that." Because if they offer any opinion at all on the quality of his work they potentially open themselves up to litigation. It may work different overseas, but if the experience base is thin the value of showing the experience probably outweighs the risk that somebody will cold call the previous client and learn anything useful.
posted by COD at 10:24 AM on August 16, 2011
posted by COD at 10:24 AM on August 16, 2011
I include freelance work I did for a publication that ripped me off on my resume. Admittedly, I didn't threaten legal action - just ceased to work for them. But I feel good about the work I did up until things fell apart.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:16 PM on August 16, 2011
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:16 PM on August 16, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The only awkwardness I can see would be if you relied on this particular publication as a referee (or if a potential future employer contacted them for a reference), but unless you think the risks of this happening outweigh the benefits of having this work on your CV, then you should include it!
posted by impluvium at 2:56 AM on August 16, 2011