Verifing past employment and questions

Seen this be a problem for some people after reading the boards here and I'd like to be prepared for when I go to school(Febuary-ish) and start applying.

Like a lot of people when I'm filling out a job application I'll guesstimate dates I worked there. Is that ok? Some places I've worked for are no longer in business. Will that be a problem? Would they go back more than 10 years? Would getting fired once matter? How about a 6 month gap of being unemployed? That just happened recently and after the only job I've been fired from(not a misconduct situation). I cashed in some of my pension and lived off of savings from Dec to May of this year because finding a decent job in this economy is kinda hard as I'm sure most know. I'm working at Wal-Mart now for $8.50/hour, yes Wal-Mart, so all of these people posting about what they make in this economy doesn't phase me one bit.

I also got a General Discharge(not bad but not good either) from the Navy after being in there for a year and a half but that was 15 years ago when I was young and dumb. Would I need a DD-214 for something this old?

Let me know if you think something might hinder my job prospects. I want to have my stuff together if it might since trucking jobs can be hard to get now. Other than maybe someone making a issue out of what I brought up I have a spotless driving record. don't do drugs, in fairly good shape for my age, and no run ins with the cops so I should be fine in that area of screening.

Thanks

 

I just ran through some apps for some of the bigger ones that also have training schools and only two ask if you were a veteran. Not that I'm trying to hide it or anything I just think it's completely irrelevant 15 years later not to mention Under Honorable Conditions which isn't considered negative persay.

My only other concern was the 6 month gap of unemployment. After reading the apps these companies have online I think they are just concerned about someone trying to hide a accident or conviction from them that might have caused the gap. Not really worried about it but like people have been saying sometimes these companies will make a mountain our of a mole hill to disqualify your application or boot you out of school. I'm sure it would involve filling out more forms if they were unable to verfiy it. As long as I can get the blal rolling I don't mind.

 

I don't plan on lieing. I'll give them what they ask for. If they ask is I served I'll say yes and provide the 214 if they require it. I'd like to be prepared though before I start the application process in the next several months instead of panicing at the last minute.

So how would they want me to prove I was really unemployed for 6 months and living off of savings while looking for work? There was no income or aide to document.

Thanks again

 

You typically can't draw unemployment when you're fired. I filed but was denied.

I just plan on telling the truth. I can't be the only person that has lost a job and been unable to find quick reasonable work especially in this economy. Fairly common trend these days. I'm afraid if I tried to make something up it would come back and bite me or they'd ask for actual documentation of some kind.