Relevant Work Experience Resume

[Marissa4usa]

Hi all,
I am in the process of applying for some research assistant jobs. Right now I am in the middle of completing all those online forms that do not leave much room for variation. All of them are asking for my employment history. I have almost 5 years of research experience from being an undergraduate and graduate RA, however, I was never paid. Currently, in my masters program I am receiving a stipend for being a TA. So, can I list my research experience as "employment" and just say that that my salary was $0 ?
Also, I am an international student and didn't work at all during college, so I have a 4 year gap in my employment history. And all my jobs before college were in my home country 5000 miles away and could not be any less relevant for the jobs I am currently applying for.

Any ideas how to handle it?

Thanks!!!

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[docma]

If the skills you "employed" in the work (paid or unpaid) are comparable to those in a potential paid position then it may be fair to list what you did. There is a great deal of ambiguity about these things given how "internships" are used for both paid and unpaid status. Just be ready to explain the different status once you get in a actual contact with someone so you can clarify the difference in the positions.