How do I explain a long gap on my CV?

Oleander

I've been unemployed since April 2008 and I'm very worried as to how I can explain this huge gap on my CV. I lived in Fermoy for one year after been made redundant from a short position and after I was sending out letters and answering local ads for positions, had a couple of interviews etc. I've now moved to Cork city and for the last year have been sending out more letters, answering ads, checking websites for jobs. In the two and half years off, I've been keeping my computer skills updated at home, I looked after a member of my family who was ill for a few months, I've just done a home study course and I have a partner who is working and I have had a bit of savings to live off myself so I've been lucky enough to enjoy some hobbies etc. I never imagined I would be off this long and the time has just flown by (I have been a little bit choosey in the job hunting), so I'm incredibly nervous as to what to say to future employers. I know the trick is to get an interview first but I want to be prepared.

If anyone has any feedback or ideas I would be happy to hear them, basically I haven't done any volunteer or charity work, or anything that employers would think has been worthwhile, I don't think so anyway.

monkeypants

Tell the truth as much as you can. There's nothing wrong with having some gaps here and there, most of us do. Try and highlight the things that you've been doing that could be described as self-development.

Mr. Loverman

Travelling.

street

Lie. Personally i wouldn't leave any gaps between jobs, just extend the length of time worked in each job if necessary so there's continuity from 1 to the next. You only need to mention your last 2 (possibly 3) jobs in the cv. I would definitely put the past 2 yrs down to travelling as Mr. Loverman suggested. They can't really argue with you there ya know. Good luck!

street

street wrote: »

Lie. Personally i wouldn't leave any gaps between jobs, just extend the length of time worked in each job if necessary so there's continuity from 1 to the next. You only need to mention your last 2 (possibly 3) jobs in the cv. I would definitely put the past 2 yrs down to travelling as Mr. Loverman suggested. They can't really argue with you there ya know. Good luck!

And then they ring your references - "no, Mr X only worked here until x/x/xx, not y/y/yy" :rolleyes:

Little A

Be careful about saying travelling. I know someone who said this to explain away 6 months where they just couldn't be bothered to get a job, so they said they had travelled to South America (I think). Turned out the interviewer had lived there for 2 years & was all keen to here where they had been.....they didn't get the job!! Very easy for interviewers to see through blatent lies, stick to bending the truth a wee bit.

Better to be honest & you haven't just been doing nothing:
- helping an ill member of your family
- keeping skills up to date
- home study course (any qualification from this?)

Just be sure you can answer questions about the above. Lots of people have been out of work for stretches like this in the last few years. Maybe pick up some charity work now, keep you busy until you get a job.

Good luck

tinnuvial

I just posted a reply to this but it seems to have disappeared into the ether so I'll try again...

Do not lie. Especially do not lie about how long you were in your last jobs. A simple call to your last employer, which any halfway intelligent company will do as a matter of course, will show you lied and you'll have destroyed your chance.

Do not lie about travelling, if you did some and you want to stretch out the period a tiny bit fine, but if you didn't travel then don't make it up. You'll freeze up in the interview when they ask you all about your year in Australia and they'll think you were actually in prison. If you do manage to create a great story about your adventures down under and you get the job you'll have to maintain that lie for the time you work there. Plus most people work here and there as they travel and they put those down on their CV.

Tell them you were looking after a sick relative, tell them you were working on hobbies, definitely tell them you were keeping your skills up to date or learning new things. Employers know the job market is rubbish right now and lots of people are 1 or more years out of work. They are usually afraid that you've lost your skills so once you address this you should be okay. There will be some employers who won't look at you if they see any non paid employment period but there will be more that just want to know what you were doing.

street

bluewolf wrote: »

And then they ring your references - "no, Mr X only worked here until x/x/xx, not y/y/yy" :rolleyes:

Granted there is a risk there, but i think its worth it if you're stuck. They don't always check these things in detail. And if they do so what, just apply for another job. You can also use referees that aren't from somewhere you worked e.g. a guard or priest etc who knows you

jor el

street wrote: »

And if they do so what, just apply for another job.

Why, because jobs are so plentiful right now? Lying on your CV a ridiculous suggestion. Anyone that gets caught in a lie from their CV or the interview is unemployable.

Employers know full well that lots of people are out of work right now, and a lot of them have been for the last year or more. There's no need to lie about this, so don't even consider the suggestion.

murphym7

Gaps in a CV 2/3 years ago would have been not great to have. There are over 450,000 people with gaps on their CV's at the moment - Don't sweat it too much.

RentDayBlues

Just tell the truth - you don't need to put it on your CV, but it would be a good idea to include it in a cover letter or email. You don't need to go into detail about your family member

Feeder

"This Page is Intentionally Left Blank"

starlit

Either say you have been travelling, or that you worked voluntarily somewhere or that you have been doing short courses on an off! Have you checked out LinkedIn for jobs and networking with companies?

Lollyb

I had an interview today and I was made redundant in Oct last year and am still unemployed .The interviewer asked me what I had done in the last year , I told the truth that I had completed two Fas computer courses ,am learning to drive again and am spending time with my kids .Personally I think telling the truth is better so you cant be caught out telling lies .Honesty is the best policy !

sesna

Little A wrote: »

Be careful about saying travelling. I know someone who said this to explain away 6 months where they just couldn't be bothered to get a job, so they said they had travelled to South America (I think). Turned out the interviewer had lived there for 2 years & was all keen to here where they had been.....they didn't get the job!! Very easy for interviewers to see through blatent lies, stick to bending the truth a wee bit.

Better to be honest & you haven't just been doing nothing:
- helping an ill member of your family
- keeping skills up to date
- home study course (any qualification from this?)

Just be sure you can answer questions about the above. Lots of people have been out of work for stretches like this in the last few years. Maybe pick up some charity work now, keep you busy until you get a job.

Good luck

:pac::pac::pac:

pirateireland

Actively looking for a job can be almost as busy as the job itself. So that can go towards filling some time up. "Actively seeking employment"

You mentioned voluntary work, I was advised from a few sources to get some volunteering hours down on my CV. I've contributed and done sponsorship events, but I think employers like to see time donated to causes like the VDP or a soup kitchen. So maybe look into that!

If you can sign up for a FAS or other short term course to fill another gap. It will look good, self-development and upskilling etc.

Good luck.

cruizer101

Yeah lies just lead to more lies. If you get the job you will have to keep up the lie for fear of it getting back to managmeant, that means lie to all your co workers, who may become friends. Its just hassle, maybe bend the truth a little, but just say you couldn't find work but were doing your best to upskill. and that