It might seem like an innocent mistake, not paying enough attention to the details, or even a typo, but getting your dates of employment wrong on your resume or job application can cost you a job offer. When the dates on your resume or LinkedIn profile don't match what you put on the job application, it can mean trouble.
I spoke to someone the other day who was afraid she was going to lose her dream job. She had a job offer and a start date. However, when the company conducted a background check the dates she had given the employer were off by a few months for two of her jobs. She apologized for the error, but was afraid the job offer would be rescinded. Her start date was pushed back so the company could decide whether to hire her or withdraw the offer.
Any discrepancies on your resume or job application can be grounds for a job offer to be withdrawn or even for you to be fired in the future. Furthermore, most employers do check references and dates of employment - over 80% according to some surveys.
If you don't remember your exact dates of employment, here's how to research your personal employment history so you can give accurate dates to prospective employers. It's better to take the time to get the dates right than it is to lose a job offer.
Related: How to Prepare for a Background Check
Image Copyright Alexandr Tovstenko