Victim of a company downsize

Dear Deb:

I was terminated in May as part of a large-scale company downsizing. My severance pay is through December.  What do I use as my ending date on my resume?

Thank you,

Duane

Dear Duane:

Ask the Human Resources Manager at your former employer to clarify which ending date you should use on your resume.  Ask by email, so you have the answer in writing.  That is the date you will use.  Also, keep in mind that is acceptable to use years only on your resume.   The reason you want to verify the date with the former employer is that if a future employer calls to verify your employment, you do not want a discrepancy.

At an interview, when you are completing the application, be perfectly clear and state your last date of employment and in parenthesis you can indicate “severance though 12/2013.”

Duane, I wish you all the success in your job search!

Regards,

Deb