Help! been out of work for 5 years, what to put on cv

loves2shop

Hi,
I am recently looking to get back into work after 5 years of being unemployed. I have been out of work due to being a carer for my husband for the last 5 years and having a child.

Would really appreciate any advice as to what i should put on my cv and also what do i put for references?

Many thanks in advance

DVardysShadow

On your CV, put what you have told us and try to forestall questions in a sentence or 2 if you can, eg

• how it is you can have a child and your husband needs care
• what has changed to make you free for the labour market

Skillz2

... or you could just lie seems to have worked for someone on here if look a few threads down.

loves2shop

thanks very much. i found out i was pregnant and then a few months later my husband got ill.
i will check out the other threads too cheers

DVardysShadow

loves2shop wrote: »

thanks very much. i found out i was pregnant and then a few months later my husband got ill.

<date> to <date> Maternity leave
<date> to present [??] Caring for husband , ill with <condition>

SarEl

Don't just leave it at that though. Think about what skills and experience you have gained from this time, just as you would had you been in paid employment, so that when you are writing your supporting information you can include it. Managing a family and being a carer requires just as many skills as employment does, and you can turn this time into a positive for employers. As for references, if you have neighbours (but not family) who have jobs they may be suitable; a teacher at your childs school; social workers or GP / health visitor as appropriate.

Tigsteroonie

I'd be tempted to list "Full-time Parent" with approximate dates and then expand on the skills that you used - organisation, multi-tasking, time management etc.

SarEl

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I'd be tempted to list "Full-time Parent" with approximate dates and then expand on the skills that you used - organisation, multi-tasking, time management etc.

Managing a budget???

Tigsteroonie

SarEl wrote: »

Managing a budget???

Definitely! How about "innovative thinking" (keeping your toddler occupied with only a cardboard tube and a sheet of yesterday's newspaper)

loves2shop

thanks for all the advice it has really helped & I am feeling a bit more positive now :j

Looter

I know it's wrong to lie on your CV but someone I used to work with claimed he had been 'travelling' for 2 or 3 years, and I could just tell he hadn't!