When you’re applying for jobs, you’re likely to come across the term “employer name” on a job application.
But, what exactly does the term “employer name” mean? Why do companies ask for it? And what can you put on that line?
This article answers all of those questions, and more.
Let’s dive in.
What Does Employer Name Mean on a Job Application?
For a traditional job, internship, or volunteer position, this is the organization that hired you to do the job listed in the work experience portion of your resume.
This should be fairly straightforward for everyone except contractors or freelancers, who are technically self-employed. In this case, you can choose whether to list the employer as yourself or to list the clients for whom you performed the most work, or the most relevant work to the position you’re applying for.
The above content was provided by Jon Hill, Chairman & CEO, The Energists
Why Do Companies Ask For Employer Name On A Job Application?
When an employer wants to verify your employment history, they will ask for the name of your prior employer. They are concerned about the reliability of the facts you have supplied about yourself in your application or résumé for the position.
This is significant since businesses are always looking for potential employees who can be relied upon to tell the truth. When verifying your employment history, it is possible to check the dates of your employment, as well as your job title, the responsibilities of your position, and any other pertinent information.
The above content was provided by Shanal Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), TechAhead
What Can Be Listed in The Employer Name Section of a Job Application
Traditional work experience where you’re a full-time employee of a company is the most common type of work experience that can be listed in the employer name section of a job application.
However, that section can also include other types of work experience, such as internships, volunteer work, periods of self-employment, and freelance work.
Here are some details on each of these:
Internships
If you have completed an internship or multiple internships in the past, you can list the name of the company or organization where you interned as your employer. You should also indicate that the position was an internship, so the hiring manager or recruiter can understand the nature of your work experience.
Volunteer work
If you have volunteered at a nonprofit organization or participated in community service, you can list the organization’s name as your employer. Make sure to specify that it was a volunteer position, so the employer understands that you were not paid for your work.
Self-employment
If you have worked for yourself, you can list your name or the name of your business as the employer. It’s essential to provide a brief explanation of the work you did and the nature of your business. You should also indicate the duration of your self-employment period.
Freelance Work
If you have done freelance work for a client or multiple clients, you can list the client’s name or the company name you worked with as your employer. You should also include a brief description of the work you did and the duration of your contract.
The above content was provided by Paul Martinez, Founder, EcomSidekick
What Do You Write For Employer Name If You’re Applying For Your First Job?
If you’re applying for your first job, you can leave the employer name section blank or enter N/A to indicate that you don’t have any previous work experience. Alternatively, list any relevant volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities.
The above content was provided by Melissa Terry, HR, VEM Tooling.
Conclusion
Companies ask for employer name to get a sense of job history and qualifications for the job.
They also use it to verify your employment history and ensure that you were being honest in your resume and on your application.
With that being the case, providing accurate and honest information about your work history is extremely important when applying for jobs.
