Interview Preparation
Work History Checklist
Use this as a memory aid, not as a test. Approximate answers and blanks are acceptable.
What can help
Build the history one detail at a time
For each job
Record the basic facts.
- Employer and location
- Years or approximate period
- Job title and department
For each workplace
Add what you remember about the work environment.
- Equipment or machinery
- Materials and products
- Coworkers, contractors and nearby trades
Build the work history in layers
Start with employers and approximate years. Then add departments, tasks, equipment, nearby trades and unusual events such as outages, renovations or demolition. The details can be researched later.
Employer and place
- Company name and location
- Approximate years
- Department, building or unit
- Union or local if remembered
- Major contractors or subcontractors
Work performed
- Job title and actual daily tasks
- Machines, piping, boilers, pumps or valves
- Cutting, grinding, repair or removal work
- Shutdowns, outages and renovations
- Trades working nearby
What may corroborate it
- Social Security earnings records
- Union and pension records
- Personnel files
- Coworkers and family
- Plant drawings, specifications and purchase records
Do not guess at a product or brand to fill a blank. A remembered task or work area can be a better research lead than an uncertain product name.