Can I use my under the table jobs on my resume?

by Jason Brock
(Antioch, CA, USA)

I worked in the construction trades for ten years. Unfortunately a few of my jobs were cash paid (under the table) so now that I'm looking for a job I would like to list those jobs on my resume. What should I do?

ANSWER: Technically, there is no connection between your resume and the IRS. But... your resume is a written document and I suppose (though I'm NOT offering legal advice as I am NOT a lawyer) it could be called on as evidence should the IRS ever go after you.

However, that is probably not a huge possibility, if you've kept your nose clean in other ways, tax-wise. And leaving those jobs off might look like an employment gap on your resume.

So, in the end, you're going to have to let your conscience be your guide as to whether to include them or not. Weigh the pros and cons and see which wins out.