Job hunting after years of unemployment

MacMickster

I would say that the key to this initially is to actually get started.

Apply for pretty much any job going (including low paid, unskilled, unsocial hours jobs) but manage your own expectations about how many applications you are going to have to submit before finding someone who will give you that chance.

Set out that you have had health problems but believe that they are now behind you and that you believe that, given the chance, you can make a valuable contribution to an employer. Eventually you will find someone who would rather give you a chance and employ someone who is clearly enthusiastic and wants to work, instead of someone forced to apply by the benefits office who would clearly rather be sitting at home with their games console.

Once you do land a job (any job), try to hold it for at least a year before looking for a better job. In doing so you will be repaying your employer for putting their faith in you, but also proving to yourself, your employer and any future employers that your mental health problems haven't effected your ability to do a good days work on a regular basis.

Whilst applying for jobs, as others have suggested, try to find volunteering opportunities to help to get supporting references and also enrol on any training courses available which could enhance your employability (as well as demonstrating that you have put your mental health problems behind you).

It will be your enthusiasm to work that will eventually get you your chance. The hard part will be to keep that enthusiasm in place and shining through to potential employers in the face of rejection. Just keep picking yourself up and going again.

Good luck.

Enigma16

Have you tried looking at temp jobs or jobs which require little/no experience and you could go straight into? For e.g. warehouse work or call centre work. I think maybe start out with a small part time job some place then go from there, or if you can handle full time then look into the above job types.

john275647

No it does not matter having a gap on you CV. Some people take time off be it for having children or another commitment or they just want time off for several years, some don't work for 20 yrs before returning to the job market - housewife/househusband with previous relevant career history for example.

Don't make pessimistic assumptions that a prospective employer will think that you have been to prison.

I haven't seen your CV but if your worried you can mention your mental health issue either on the covering letter or at interview if they bring up why you have not been working for 7 yrs. But your not obliged to do so.