At the start of a new week, after what may or not have been a heavy weekend (yes, T in the Parkers, we're looking at you) it's the perfect time to talk about regrets. "Regrets, I've had a few," sang Frank Sinatra (and, later,Sid Vicious)and I think it's fair to say that we all know what they're talking about. But when it comes to getting a job - is it ever acceptable to own up to your regrets?
The perfect example of being open and honest with your past is currently doing the round of the internetz in this brilliantly candid appeal for work from a former marijuana smuggler.
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In many ways this picture does a great job of highlighting the best practice way to approach any misdemeanours you may have on your CV, let's break it down:
If you can't cover up - own up
As an example, let's say you got fired from your last job for stealing the MD's car and you know that they might just bring it up when they go and get a reference, then it's best to own up. The key here though is to point out that it was a mistake which you've accepted and made amends for but most importantly it's to say how you learned from the mistake. Learning and human growth is exactly the sort of thing that impresses HR people (and Britain's Got Talent judges) and makes them think that perhaps they'll give you a chance to redeem yourself.
Take the good from the bad
So once you've accepted that perhaps you've done something that wasn't quite above board, it's time to employ the maxim that all experience is good experience. Look at our old pal Cap'n Smokey from the job ad. You could say that on one level he has been running an illegal smuggling operation, or you could break it down and say that he was running an extremely accomplished logistics operation, under a good deal of pressure. People sometimes feel that translating these experiences is a bit of a cheat, but again, it's the sort of thing you need to learn to do if you want to turn the smudges on your CV to your advantage.
Don't let your mistakes define you
This is a tough one because it takes dedication and sweat to get past but there's a simple truth that we all screw things up sometimes. Sometimes we screw things up so badly that the only person you can get a reference from is the US District Attorney. The conclusion to this has to be: so what. Get out there, take the knock-backs and pick yourself up and go out again.
Whether it's an embarrassing job mistake, a chequered past or you flunked your GCSEs don't allow people to define you - you are in control of how you present yourself and you should always be proud of your positives and put them out in front.
