CV with health problems and not worked for 20 years

Iwanttobefree

Hi all.

After advice on creating a CV.

Had numerous health problems over the years, but the worst one (CFS/ME) has been cured and I am not able to do some sort of part time job.

However, I cant stand for more than 3 - 5 mins, cant walk more than about 50 yrds, can't bend my knees past 90 degrees so cant kneel.

So any job picking things up from the floor etc is out, any job climbing stairs is out (climbing is OK, but have to hold both handrails to walk down)

I physically cant handle stress, it exhausts me in a very very short amount of time.

I'm 53. Haven't worked for 20 years, the last job I had 20 years ago I had 35 days off sick in the last year I was there before resigning after telling the boss what I thought of him (due mainly to my CFS/ME as I was constantly tired and grumpy).

My CV is all IT related stuff, computer operations manager, senior systems analysts etc but the last thing I want to do with my health problems is go back into IT (plus being out of it for 20 years, there's a huge learning curve that I don't think I can handle anymore)

So, if I find a job I think I will be able to do and it asks me to drop in my CV, how on earth do I write one that gives me any chance of getting a job?

I have to tell them I can't kneel/squat/lift stuff or stand for long [periods otherwise I could be wasting their and my time.

Any advice greatly received.

Many thanks

PossiblyOverworked

What sort of job are you after?

In your position I would consider looking for "remote" freelance / contract / self employed work if you have kept up to date with your industry via study or whatever over those years? Do you have skills that you could 'sell' on a freelance basis...

What sort of things have you been doing in the intervening 20 years?

GlasweJen

You could volunteer to build up some up to date experience and references. For work you should contact access to work and ask them about special seating. I work in a hospital and use a wheelchair full time (paraplegia), not all jobs involve bending or kneeling especially in IT.

Iwanttobefree

I doubt IT will be suitable for me as I haven't kept up with it due to health reasons, and I also cant tolerate any sort of stress.

To get back in the job market, I need to start part time, and I will do ANYTHING I am capable of doing, whether thats working on a production line in a factory or whatever.

But every single job I see asks to send in a CV.

I have an appointment at the job centre on Thursday, will ask their advice.

Undervalued

Have you tried contacting any of the charities that specialising in helping people recovering from certain health problems to fine suitable work?

The Richmond Fellowship is one example.

trailingspouse

I think you have to be honest - say what you have said to us here, that you have been off sick for many years, but that you are now better and raring to go. There will be an employer somewhere who can see past the 'sick for many years' and will be able to concentrate on the 'raring to go' part of your CV.

I agree a spot of volunteering might be useful - will mean your CV contains more than just your illness.

Good luck.

lincroft1710

I think Undervalued's post is really useful.

But I think you are going to struggle. At 53, not worked for 20 years, unable to cope with stress and no visible employment skills means very, very few employers would even give you an interview.

As for factory work, I think you would find that stressful as you will usually have targets or be part of a process which needs you to keep pace with your fellow workers.

Could you train to be a counsellor or similar?

maninthestreet

Voluntary work of some sort may be the best way to prove you can still work to any potential new employer,

Mojisola

Iwanttobefree wrote: »

Had numerous health problems over the years, but the worst one (CFS/ME) has been cured

I'd love to know what the cure is.

Torry_Quine

Mojisola wrote: »

I'd love to know what the cure is.

Me too.

I think voluntary work is the best starting point

WillowCat

I trained as a citizen's advice bureaux adviser. Most of the full time workers in our bureaux (typically telephone advisers) were recruited after being volunteers.