Gaps on CV

burnoutbabe

I Just put a line, like any other job saying

Date to present
following voluntary redundancy, I have enjoyed a career break where I have carried out a number of DIY jobs in my flat, travelled and did some self employment work as a mystery shopper.

So it explained what I had been up to, and its never been an issue. Not sure why it would be, I could afford a year of not working so I had one. They just don't like gaps in CVs, but they don't have to be working every time.

1940sGal

I'm sorry Sarah but i'm finding you quite baffling here. You've asked for advice and everything that's been suggested you've turned your nose up at it. I don't think there's anything else to suggest.

Oh wait there is something. Have you thought of relocating? Maybe you would have better luck in a different area?

MissSarah1972

1940sGal wrote: »

I'm sorry Sarah but i'm finding you quite baffling here. You've asked for advice and everything that's been suggested you've turned your nose up at it. I don't think there's anything else to suggest.

Oh wait there is something. Have you thought of relocating? Maybe you would have better luck in a different area?

It was advice on what to put on a CV. Maybe I'd be better off lying.

Why aren't you self employed? In fact why isn't anyone else on here who is looking for work all working for themselves?

The job ohreally posted was a admin job for Unison here in London paying £29k which I find very hard to believe they pay that, maybe you can apply for it if you are relocating.

marybelle01

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

Show me someone who wants to work for free and I will show you a liar!

I do three shifts a week at a domestic violence refuge. I do them for free. I want to do them. Are you calling me and all the other volunteers in this country liars? You have some attitude there!

ohreally

I think someone has learning difficulties.

MissSarah1972

marybelle01 wrote: »

I do three shifts a week at a domestic violence refuge. I do them for free. I want to do them. Are you calling me and all the other volunteers in this country liars? You have some attitude there!

and you have a real job too? I was talking people with no £ an no £ who say they want to work for free.

MissSarah1972

ohreally wrote: »

I think someone has learning difficulties.

If you mean me I doubt that very much and if you think that why post here a job for me to apply to? Do you work for Unison?

cashbackproblems

I agree with you regarding self employment, its not easy as people make out unless you have a good idea and some kind of startup, high street shops are empty for a reason!

However volunteering work (just a few shifts per week) looks good on your CV as its something to discuss at interview, shows determination to improve yourself and your not lazy and fills gaps. Its not about people working for free as you are getting all that out of it..plus the satisfaction of helping others!

Your in London and its the best place to be job hunting, sure its competitive but i see 5/6x number roles in my area down here compared to the midlands. And 25-30k for an admin role if you have experience+degree is certainly not unheard of.

Cate1976

I've got a couple of periods of unemployment on my Cv. I've got the dates and said unemployed, actively seeking work, doing voluntary work when available.

Application forms that ask for periods of unemployment to be accounted for, I've put dates in and actively seeking work, then in further information bit said where and what voluntary work I've done.

During the current economic climate, employers shouldn't be automatically rejecting anyone with 'gaps' in CV or periods of unemployment.

If you've got periods of unemployment and been on benefits and job you're applying for asks for checkable work history, put in name of jobcentre that dealt with your claim.

1940sGal

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

It was advice on what to put on a CV. Maybe I'd be better off lying.

Why aren't you self employed? In fact why isn't anyone else on here who is looking for work all working for themselves?

The job ohreally posted was a admin job for Unison here in London paying £29k which I find very hard to believe they pay that, maybe you can apply for it if you are relocating.

Yes and the first time someone gave you advice you blew up in their face. From your reaction anyone'd think I'd told you to put 'first class escort' down. I only said voluntary work which is a perfectly acceptable thing when you're unemployed. Though not according to you. I then suggested you either lie or carry on as you have been, both of which you didn't seem keen on so i'm afraid i'm out of options.

As for me being unemployed, I could give it a try but i know i wouldn't get very far for the simple reason that the kind of photography i do doesn't sell. What sells is either high fashion, and even then it's only when you know the right people, and that awful family crap you see on every high street in britain and frankly i'd rather sell my soul than produce that pap.

As for doing that job with unison, can't say I'd get far having no experience in that.