Enormous gap in CV, eek!??

zzzLazyDaisy

Providing false information on a CV or job application is a criminal offence under S2 of the Fraud Act 2006

http://www.boyesturner.com/news-article.html?id=1047

While it is true that probably not many employers would go to the bother of prosecuting the employee - many, if not most, would dismiss for gross misconduct, and there have been cases where this has happened several years after the employee started working for the company. So getting found out in a lie could be much more damaging than looking a bit foolish.

However, employers are not allowed to ask about health issues at application and interview stage now to prevent discrimination on the grounds of disability (under the Equality Act 2010). While alcoholism is not a disability under the Act, the ban on questions about health until after a job offer has been made applies to everyone. So in a strange way, something vague about a long term health problem which is now resolved with no lasting consequences is probably your best bet, as most employers (admittedly not all) are very aware of these issues. Of course it may well cut down on the number of interviews you get, but the ones you do get will not be based on a lie.

If you combine this with voluntary work so you have a recent reference this will also help.

You may also get some help from a disability adviser at the job centre as some employers are expressly disability friendly and don't all apply the strict legal definition (though my experience of disability advisers is some time ago, so I don't know what their current remit is).

dancingfairy

I would imagine it's going to come down to what sort of cv you have. If you have a chronological cv then it will be pretty obvious about the major gaps. Have a look around though, there are other formats of cv you could use that highlight your skills/relevant work experience etc without highlighting the gaps.
Obviously it may still come up on application forms if you have to fill things in chronologically or if you get asked about it at interview.

df
Edit: see this link here that goes through the different formats you could use: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/cvs/Pages/formats.aspx Maybe the functional cv? it tells you about each one and you can view a sample one on the pdf.

Fire_Fox

anna2000 wrote: »

I just want to take this opportunity again to say I hate lying and the situation I'm in (and I have nobody to blame but myself, although I am trying to turn things around), I feel this is a case of needs must though and that the end justifies the means - I just want to get a job and I don't want to be a prisoner of my past forever.

You've already assumed you won't get a job with your history of mental health issues, you haven't actually determined that is the case yet. Nobody is going to say health problems or a gap on the CV doesn't make it tough but many many people with mental health problems get jobs every year without committing fraud. I am one.

If you lose out on the job because you lied at interview, or you get sacked you will be thrown off benefits and you will find it much harder to get a job as you will have yet another gap and no reference. That could easily be the trigger for relapse into depression, perhaps even drinking again, and it would be incredibly stressful maintaining the lie for the rest of your working life.

Interviews are about presenting yourself in the best light, turning faults into neutrals or positives where possible. Having had mental health issues can make you a more open minded, compassionate person if you went into a caring or customer facing role, you may have come out a much stronger person, learned certain things about yourself. Maybe you have spent some of the time doing voluntary work or private reading/ research on a topic relevant to work, taken a short course of study all of which prove you can show up on time every day, work to deadlines and so on.

Maybe taking the time out means you are now looking to retrain in your dream field not go backwards to an old life, you want to really get your teeth into something that you feel passionate and enthusiastic about instead of it being 'just a job'. You are not presenting the old you, you are now a BETTER version of you, a wiser, more mature, more self aware you with a new zest for life. Few people are enthusiastic and passionate at interview, they don't let their positive mental attitude really shine through. Employers in many fields love that stuff and it makes it really clear you are not depressed!

You might have been instrumental in getting yourself well so that you are now healthier than you have ever been in your life, full of beans and ready to cope with anything. Teaching yourself to cook and always sticking to all the official healthy eating guidelines, starting an exercise regime and signing up to a charity event, meditation or other stress management technique, anything healthy that the average Brit doesn't do and that creates a positive talking point. Preferably a healthy hobby that helps show your ability to be part of a group or team, even in the smallest way since you have been flying solo for years. The implication being you could be a better, more reliable employee that the average person and their rubbish immune system.

I don't see how it's a lie to simply say you were unwell, if you wish you could say mental health or that your primary diagnosis was clinical depression which is true since it came first. You might even say it followed a one off event like a divorce or bereavement (if that is true). I don't believe they are supposed to ask for detail about your health in an interview anyway but instead ask for you to see Occupational Health. But it does put you in a good light if you appear to be being open and honest whilst actually not telling them the alcoholism part.

I saw Occupational Health for my last NHS role and it went really badly due to nervousness, I spoke really fast to the point the doctor asked if I thought I was "a bit manic?" :eek: I took a deep breath and agreed that I am naturally hyper, but said I was terrified. We talked about mood for a little bit, it was clear I had a good understanding of my conditions (loads of research) and they signed me off. So it's not a lost cause.

Checkmate_2

Don't pretend you were self employed as some baffoons had suggested. While you can't be asked to provide the tax return form you will be expected to prove you were self employed. If it boils down to just your words, I'd be thinking if you were self employed or actually in prison during those 6 years. You don't have to prove anything, but I'm entitled to assume the worst if you fail to provide evidence.

Also don't fabricate illness. If you've been ill for so long I wouldn't interview you, or if it came up as a reason during interview, I wouldn't give you the job. While you are protected by law not to disclose medical history I will assume the worst if you use illness to cover a 6 year gap. I'd reject you and refuse to provide feedback at this stage to cover myself.

I'm in charge of recruitment (within UK offices) for a multi-national company. I had and will continue to reject a number of people based on the above.

JimmyTheWig

Then what would you suggest, Checkmate? The OP has been ill for 6 years. She either needs to be honest or she needs to lie.

duchy

Took time out from the workplace to take care of family responsibilities ....not everyone has kids ...they can also have parents or siblings who can need care.

The time you WERE self employed should be listed separately though

Robin_TBW

Amnesia???

Checkmate_2

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Then what would you suggest, Checkmate? The OP has been ill for 6 years. She either needs to be honest or she needs to lie.

Honesty and signs of willingness and ableness to commit oneself to work, evidenced in some form of voluntary job. OP needs to volunteer. He'll want a recent work reference as well.

If you've been self-employed I'd expect to be offered information to confirm this is true. Ie former registered business address, trademarked business name under your name, references from former clients, and for specialist type of business most employers will be tempted to ask some questions about it to see how knowledgeable the job applicant is. Someone who was genuinely self-employed should have no difficulty proving his/her past.

OP wasn't ill for 6 years.

patator

If you can really, really talk yourself up on your CV, use any previous experience and demonstrate the skills that you gained there (whether it was paid or voluntary), mention any pastimes, any qualifications at all - tell them about anything that would make you a good fit for the vacancy. As somebody else said; if you did anything, anything at all during the period you have gaps in your CV, use it! You don't have to lie, but at the same time everybody makes themselves sound good on their CV...(somebody I know *whistles innocently* uses creative language to make a basic admin job sound like it could be something really very involved...)

You can also tailor your CV for each job you want to apply for (unless you're sending out a lot of applications, in which case it would become a tad time-consuming). If you look at the job description and person specification, then make sure you've mirrored what they want back at them - be honest, and try to use different phrases from theirs so it doesn't look like you're just parroting their specifications - but show them that you are, in no uncertain terms, PERFECT to work for them.

A gap in your CV is a challenge, but you could even turn that into something positive. You can say you suffered from long term illness, but you're a determined person and you fought hard against it and, now that you're totally recovered and in a position where you're able to work again, you would love to come and work for 'X' company, because of 'x, y and z'.

It's possible to get past initial misgivings from an employer by being prepared, enthusiastic and just having the balls to have a crack. I once got to interview stage for a marketing job where they were asking for degree level qualifications and four years experience. I had no degree whatsoever and no experience...and they still told me that if the successful applicant hadn't applied (she had an MA and had worked in the same role in the US for six years) I'd have beaten everyone else. Being cheeky enough to apply and having the confidence to say "I will learn - fast" was part of that So a bit of bravado and a well worded CV/covering letter can go a long way! Have confidence in yourself, even if you're feeling unsure about your chances - you had a hard time for six years and, yes, that is apparent on your CV...but that time will have made you a stronger person and will have equipped you to deal with situations differently than you would have done before.

Good luck!

JimmyTheWig

Checkmate wrote: »

Honesty and signs of willingness and ableness to commit oneself to work, evidenced in some form of voluntary job. OP needs to volunteer.

I totally agree with this. The OP is going to do it.

He'll want a recent work reference as well.

From the volunteering, I'm hoping you mean?

OP wasn't ill for 6 years.

The impression that I got was that yes, they were ill for 6 years.

patator wrote: »

A gap in your CV is a challenge, but you could even turn that into something positive. You can say you suffered from long term illness, but you're a determined person and you fought hard against it and, now that you're totally recovered and in a position where you're able to work again, you would love to come and work for 'X' company, because of 'x, y and z'.

I think this is brilliant. Almost turning it into a positive.