Navigating Career Changes: Will HR Understand My Shift from IT to Family Business and Back?

I worked for 2.7 years in IT, then quit the job to join the family business. I continued my work in IT here, thinking of doing business, but it is not going well, so I intend to get back to a job. My point is, do HR people really consider such situations? In another case, I'll have to get a fake certificate, salary slip, and all, which I don't want to do.

Stick to the facts. If you can show proof of the family business, that would be great. Also, there will be quite a few HR persons who will accept such a reason. If you fake once, you will end up faking and/or substantiating later too—there's nothing called a one-time lie.

I suggest using the research facility at the top of this page to search for threads related to this topic, and you will know how people get into that trap and find it tough to come out of it later in their careers.

All the best.

Regards, TS

Mr. TS is right but soft. Shun the thought of "faking" anything regarding your career. Your employers will not approve of dishonesty, and if caught during a reference check or at any stage, you could end up with a permanent stigma in your career that you have to live with. More importantly, faking is wrong, and for that reason alone, even the thought should be shunned. An honest and convincing presentation of your career, including the work in the family business, will be quite acceptable.

Where (at what level) you will be placed is another matter, and you may have to negotiate based on your skill set.

Regards,
Samvedan
July 22, 2011