Enormous gap in CV, eek!??

anna2000

Hello

I've been unemployed since late 2007 and this year I'm determined to turn my mess of a life around - starting with finding a job.

I've recently got in touch with a careers advisor, and started some voluntary work.

I'm sending my CV off everywhere and applying for everything I can. But at our latest appointment my CA (career advisor) told me that this 6 year gap 'does not bode well at all.' I know hes right; I don't expect anyone to give me a job with such a big gap in my CV for no good reason. (I had alcohol problems and just dropped out of everything, but I finally got clean and sober last year).

Whilst my CA told me 'I'm not advocating you lie', he clearly was telling me in the strongest way he could that I need to think of something other than 'yeh - I was a raving alcoholic' to tell any prospective employer.

So does anyone have any thoughts? I thought about saying I had children (although I haven't any) - but I thought this could be a problem if I end up working with the person who interviewed me. I also thought about saying I lived abroad - but I've never been out of the UK but I could always read up on some English speaking country. What about saying I had my own business? What evidence would an interviewer want to see of this?

I know I've got to think of a decent reason to explain that huge gap or I'll never get a job. I hate lying, but I feel this is a case of needs must!

Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, roughly what % of people who interview you do you actually work with you?

Also, does anyone know of any organisations / charities that help the unemployed get back to work?

I just want a job to get a normal life again and get some dignity back.

Anna

KiKi

I wouldn't lie about something as significant as children or working abroad - you will get into all sorts of trouble. What on earth will you say when they ask about your business, your clients etc? You're crazy to even consider this, as these are legitimate questions that someone may show an interest in (although they may not ask about kids at the interview, if someone has an interest and starts asking for their names and comparing kid stories, you're going to look like a nutter for lying about it).

I'd say I had to take time out of my career to deal with some family problems. That way you're not going to divulge any of it; if you're asked questions, you can say it was private. But once they start asking you about your children or your experiences abroad you can't 'refuse' - you'll just get into lying more deeply.

Get into the voluntary work - that will look much better on your CV at the moment than a gaping 6 year gap.

Well done for getting sober, as well.

KiKi

Annisele

I agree with Kiki, but I'd be tempted to add one more thing. You could possibly say you had to take time out to deal with some family problems that have now been completely resolved and are not going to recur - just in case the employer worries that you'll disappear two months after they've hired you to sort out your family.

If you make up children, then at some point you're going to forget you're supposed to have them - and as Kiki says, that'll make you look a proper idiot. The working abroad idea will fall over as soon as they want a reference from your overseas employer - if you try to say the employer doesn't have an email address or a telephone number you'll set off alarm bells.

wilsooon

A big thanks for all the advice here, I've been off work for about 10 years due to depression and have been really concerned about how I might address this if I ever manage to get to interview stage. I'm now thinking that I must try my hardest to build up my CV with voluntary work, relevant hobbies and any work experience I might be able to arrange, and work on ideas for accompanying letters. So thank you.

anna2000

Thanks for your replies guys. I thought about saying I had family problems 2010 to the present which are now completely resolved, hence me now doing my utmost to get back into work.

And prior to that, 2007-2010, I was self employed as a mobile hairdresser - something that I have actually done years back - but its still something I could talk about and expand on if an interviewer asked me.

Would they want to see evidence of this though? And if so what? Surely the timeframe (it being years ago) would make showing evidence seem less important?

I just thought it would cut my unemployment down from 6 years to 2. Surely that would increase my chances of getting a job?

Does that sound like a plan or would I just be digging myself a bigger hole? Any thoughts?

dandelionclock30

Honestly you dont want to say that you had family problems for the last so many years and this has prevented you from working.Do you honestly think that an employer will take you on after you disclose that.
You'd be better off saying that you worked for somewhere that has shut down (theres loads of places) or that you still did the mobile hairdressing until last year on a self employed basis etc.
Then use the reference from the voluntary work.Unless its a really strict job with background checks then you will be o.k.
A woman I know had a gap of 18 years as she was bring up her kids.She has now got a good ish job working for a college so it is possible.What she did was got a placement in an office and then used them as a reference the same as voluntary work really.

anna2000

^^ thank you!! The 'family problems' thing didn't sit well with me eirther - no doubt they'd want to know what happened and....nah, really don't want to go there!

Yes I'm thinking maybe voluntary work is the way forward, training or doing a placement, and using them as a reference. Was your friend's office placement voluntary?

JimmyTheWig

Why not tell the truth?

To me, a big unexplained gap means you were in prison.
A big gap that you are trying to cover up with made up stories (chances are they'll notice that your behaviour changes when talking about this period) suggests you were in prison and are trying to cover it up.

I think the truth would be better than that.
Can you get a report from a professional to say that you had these problems and that they are behind you now?

Also, what have you learned during this time? Play to the strengths of what you've done, rather than dwell on having done "nothing".

anna2000

if i told the truth i'd never get a job

dandelionclock30

My friend got a placement in a council office arranged by the jobcentre.This was way before the work programme etc. She then got a job in that office and now works doing reception/admissions in a college. Its not blow away excitement but shes happy with it etc.

JimmyTheWig

anna2000 wrote: »

if i told the truth i'd never get a job

Possibly.
But my thinking is that you might stand more chance by telling the truth than if they think you are lying.