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Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

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I have been unemployed for a couple of years. When I submit my resume, several recruiters dont want to talk to me because of the break. I had two offers withdrawn during this time period, one due to budget and another due to management shake up. Any ideas on how to address this break? I did self-study to keep my skills up and also started a photography business to help deal with the stress. Also, why do recruiters apparently think you forget everything when you dont work? any ideas on how to convince them to give me a chance?

Topic

Fill the gap

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I’ve been writen(off) sick 🙁 for more than 1 1/2 years now, and I have no breaks or gaps in my resume. How? Easy, I’m never not doing something. (type A 😉 ) Devolop a project (keep it low budget naturaly) in your field. It could be something for the comunity, library, church, a non-profit. With a shortage of funds now days they will appreaciate it too (& will probably put it in writing also). Document everything you do for that, including research. Guess what? you’re now not ‘out-of-work’, you’re on a ‘working sabbatical’ and no holes in your resume. In fact it will probably look better. (showing recent, relevent experience. and comunity service too!) Try it, you have nothing to loose, & a lot to gain. -my 2 cents anyway. -d

balls of steel

In reply to Fill the gap

There is an age-old technique that worked for me when the truth got me nowhere.

LIE, LIE, LIE !!!

— Ren —

Casting a Good Light on the Past

In reply to Fill the gap

So the problem is that you spent a couple of years searching instead of working and now the trick is to make it look like you were a busy beaver!

Lying is not really an option (because you will always get caught) so… ‘Wordsmithing’ to the rescue.

Tell the truth but craft everything you did during that period as real Work. Any volunteer work is fair game for sure. Even helping a neighbour fix his gate can be ‘Infrastructure Consulting’. Helping a friend load software can be an ‘Implementation Project’.

If you took any training during that period, that is certainly fair game. Also consider what you offered other participants. It could be ‘Mentoring’ or ‘Training’ on your part. If you recast your education into your historical section, the gap will vanish.

And who did you work for? Being self-employed as a consultant is certainly a valid option these days. And then you don’t really have a gap. If you are asked why you aren’t still consulting, you simply have to tell the truth – you simply couldn’t make a go of it… duh!

But make sure that you are clear on what you learned and achieved during that period. In an interview you may be asked tricky questions. Try not to pause too long or stumble if you are asked for specifics about that period.

Remember, an interviewer really wants to know what you can do for them. One thing you did learn during your break was that you would really rather work. Make a list of all the other things. It is not a problem to admit you might have had a few months without gainful employment, particularly if you are self employed (a few months can be three years, right?)

Another approach: Rewrite your resume into a functional format. I redid my 30 year history into general periods, listing the many jobs without specific dates. Eg. 1993 to present; Job 1 (desc), Job2 (desc), etc. That way you may not need to dwell on how long you didn’t have to report to an office. Also, I use full years rather than months. January is near the end of the year, right? You can be vague on precise dates and quickly pop back to some experience detail (try not to be too obvious).

Good luck

Explain it in the interview

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I’ve been asked in interviews about gaps in my resume, and it turns out it’s not hard to deal with, though you should be prepared to explain them before you get into the interview. Just explain generally what you were doing during the gaps. You don’t have to get long winded about it.

I talked with a career counselor about this once, and I asked why employers do this. She said if you’ve been out of work for several months to a year, the employer is going to wonder if that was because you were in jail or something. Wow! That was a shock. I had no idea. So just fill in the gaps, explaining that you were doing something with your life. A post before me said put everything you’ve done in your resume. I would do that only if what I’ve done was relevant to the job. Otherwise I’d leave it out. Remember, your resume should be designed to get you the interview, not the job. You use the interview for that. Employers typically don’t want to be bothered with a resume that contains information that’s irrelevant to the position. They just want to make a quick scan to see if you might be a good match for the job. This may result in gaps. That’s the reason I suggest explaining them in the interview, because an interviewer is going to have questions about them.

resume gaps and jail…

In reply to Explain it in the interview

85-90% of people in prison will be released and be your neighbors. I actually teach convicted felons prior to their release and it is an area we have to deal with in a big way. We use a functional instead of a chronological resume emphasizing their skills sets and experience but without the dates. We prepare them to talk about that in an interview. A good job / career is one thing that will immediately and in the long term affect recidivism and ultimately our tax burden. Every ex-offender we get gainfully employed pays in taxes effectively double, since they are paying in, and we are no longer paying out for them. It costs an average of $100,000 to lock one person back up and that is not counting the annual costs of incarceration.

I also do

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Work for non-for profit orgs. I have two listed and give names with phone numbers in case they want to talk with them. I also list online communities like TechRepublic and a few others I use as a feature in my resume. It shows that you are keeping up with technology and what is happing with the IT field. And do not forget about schooling, I have paid for three Certs myself. All do on line so it shows that I am using time out of work to good use. I will send you a copy of my resume if you like.

This has worked for me too

In reply to I also do

I have also taken on projects for friends, such as wiring their house and setting up a network. This shows a love for the field and a desire to be busy. You can also use them for references.

Been there, done that

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Having been unfortunate enough to have been in this situation, I know how tough it is. I was working in the tech sector and quit a job Sept. 1, 2001. NOT a good time to have quit a job in technology. Anyways, after looking for employment for 7+ months without success, I needed to get a job. Any job. I had interviewed for a help desk position late Feb. 2002 and told the job would be filled at the end of the month. After being assured that I was the leading candidate at the time, there was delay after delay in the position actually getting filled. I waited 1 month in hopes of the job becoming available. Still more delays until I finally just had to find any job. I finally did get a job, although not in the tech sector, and 1 month after I started the new job, I got the call and was offered the position. I was having fun at the new job I had and politely turned down offer. That was a HUGE mistake. To make a long story short, after being out of technology for 1.5 years, I basically had to rebuild my career from scratch. I had a degree, certifications, and 17 years of experience, but NOBODY was willing to take a chance with me. I re-entered the tech sector at ground zero, making $10/hr. I have slowly been working my way up, now making twice that.

You need to really decide if tech is where you want to be, and if it is, be more receptive to taking positions at a lower level with growth potential or perpetually wait for that home-run job.

In that same position myself rightnow

In reply to Been there, done that

I relocated to remarry, and retired from my previous position. I thought with my experience that I wouldn’t have a problem getting a new job. Yea, aww well. 9 months later, still no job. I’ve taken not tech jobs just to live, have to eat.
I am to the point I’m ready to give up on getting another tech job, but haven’t yet. I have kept myself involved in tech issues, by doing various small projects of my own. I can point to an open source module found on sourceforge.orr as proof of this. Actualy, I feel this module shows that I have expanded my experience in different areas then what is shown through my resume in work experience.
The sugestion of charity work is a good one. I am new to this area that I live in now, so am unsure how or where to contact people on this. But, just doing charity work will accomplish a couple different things. 1). Make you feel better about yourself. 2). Expand your contact list. 3). Strengthin your resume.
Good luck, and I hope your luck changes soon.

droolin

B.T.D.T. as well…

In reply to Been there, done that

I was laid off from my network engineering position in June of 2002 (and 2 months before my wedding). After sending out over 300 resumes and chasing down countless leads, I got nowhere. As I had to do something to keep busy and pay the bills, I also was looking to avoid a huge gaping hole in my employment history, so I went into the only industry that was readily hiring at the time: Real Estate Appraisals. I did that for a year (including taking the courses and getting my apprentice/trainee license), all while continuing to send out resumes to apply for positions in IT. when the appraisals tooks a sudden nosedive (interest rates started to climb again), I reluctantly accepted an offer as a field technician with a small company that installs wireless PTP solutions. While the technical aspect was only about 5% of the job, I made that into 100% of the job description on my resume so that the brief six months I spent there (in HELL I might add) closed the gap for me in presenting my up-to-date skills.

State your activities positively

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

The point of the resume is to demonstrate qualifications. If executives can take sabaticals, why can’t you? You can’t call it that but you can imply.
Professional Improvement Period. Paused day-to-day operations to expand and hone my skills in order to keep current and relevant. Studied …..

Tell them you you started the photography business during this time to support your professional improvement period and to acquire a first hand small business (or business) perspective and experience in order to better serve your employers when you returned to your primary career path.

Charlie Carroll, PMP
Olathe, KS

offer a week free

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

i am not deeply it but i do run a heating/plumbing business and had an employee i was dubious about he offered to do a weeks work and if i wasnt satisfied with him i neednt pay him (he is still with me 3 yrs later) of coure this is open to opertunist employers but it gives you a chance also i have some more information and can perhaps assist if you were to contact me personally

You can’t do that!

In reply to offer a week free

The only business that you can perform work for no charge is a non-profit organization. For-profit companies are mandated to pay at least $5.15/hr. I know it is tempting to try such a tactic to “get your foot in the door”, but it simply will not work. Sorry!

Can’t do that?

In reply to You can’t do that!

I am intrigued by your comment that no one can perform work at no charge. I was unaware of any mandates that forced people to pay for work in the US. You might want to let all the big consulting companies in on this oversight on their part. I have been working in consulting for 15 years; 30 years experience overall. It is a common practice for consultants to conduct an assessment at risk to develop the project plan or the organizational change program. This works on deals that are in the 10’s of millions of dollars, so it should work for an individual. It also works for college graduates that are on unpaid internships.

Maybe you are in a different country?

Consider

In reply to Can’t do that?

If you are a consultant, yes you can offer “free” consultations. I have been searching for nearly 3 years for an IT position, when I was ready to offer on application letters, that I was willing to work up to 4 months 12×5 at no charge, no obligation, to prove my abilities. An HR Mgr. who works for a Fortune 50 company that I know, told me in no uncertain terms this was illegal in the U.S.! Also, there are several threads in TechRepublic, which corroborate this fact.

FYI: I’m not a college intern, I’ve spent 30 yrs in IT, but only have an old Associate’s and few certs to my credit.

You can’t…. You have no Idea what your talking about

In reply to You can’t do that!

sure you can work for free if you want.
You would have to have work that would shows what you can do, just any work would not help.
If you see the right position at a company you like then go for it. I don’t think it is what you should really shoot for.
When you find someone who needs what you can do, they will hire you, they may force you to take less money, but if they do that is where you speak up and say OK but, put a time frame on proving yourself and a fixed figure on what you will make.
Don’t let them decide later on the money. Forcing their hand also shows that you believe in yourself and perhaps you are worth having.
If you don’t have current saleable skills then get them. I don’t think a gap in employment in itself is that big of a deal.
ONE OTHER thing you can do to get past the recruiters is to not put employment dates at all. List skills and solutons that you can provide.
Tell them why they should hire you and they will.
Employeers have a need, provide the solution and they don’t care if you hava a gap or a degree or a certification, they just want what they need. Sure all these things help show that you can fill the need, but there are no rules!!! there just aren’t.

Reply To: Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

In reply to offer a week free

I agree that the best is to work for non-profit organizations so they ca see you are still active.
I was on a similar position on my Country, but I did work for 2 non-profit organizations and in 4 months I did get a full time job.

Project yourself as a discerning professional

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I am also facing this problem at the moment. After a lucrative overseas contract I decided to take a year out to do an MSc. Although I passed with flying colours, I have found it hard to break into the permanent jobs market here in the UK at the level I was working at as a consultant and I could really do with a job. My response when asked about my [currently] 4 months out of work is that, as a consultant I am used to non-continuous work patterns and that the finacial rewards of consultancy mean that I can afford to wait for the right post (everyone thinks we are all paid whey more than we really are anyhow, so people find this quite believable). The sub-text of this approach is supposed to be “I’m in front of you because I have chosen your company and I want to work with you, not because I am desperate and need to work at anything”.

Functional Resume

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I do not have a “break” in my experience, but my initial “experience” did not fit well cronologically. I built my first resume in functional order, not cronologically. Your “break” will not be as noticable, and the resume concentrates more on your skills then when you aquired the skills. It works for me. It goes something like this:

Highlights of Qualifications
– top 4 bullet points
Professional Experience
– Skill 1 (such as LAN Support, Mgt, Communications, etc)
– 4-6 bullets
– Skill 2
– 4-6 bullets
– Skill 3
– 4-6 bullets
– Skill 4
– 4-6 bullets
– Education
– Work History

Resume Time Gaps

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Having functioned as a licensed aircraft mechanic, a factory certified marine mechanic, and a certified automotive mechanic over approx a 30 years span there have been breaks in the CV. I do not mince words or display distress, I tell them why the breaks are there BUT no personal details. That interviewer has no right to anything medical or personal and they are actually restricted legally. They WILL go fishing though during the interview.
Also note the four types/styles of interview tactics. If there is a fifth type of manuever by an interviewer would someone let me know. All of them are rather pedestrian but they try to use them. Remember too that Human Resources grads are trying to justify and keep their jobs as well.
They almost always don’t know “your stuff” because it isn’t their department. KNOW YOUR STUFF and stand tall when asked about gaps.
Never shrink in front of an interviewer either because it is a coin toss whether you land the job or not anyway when there is a lot of competition for those one or two positions sometimes
Lastly, consider not working for any of these “corporate america” types, supporting their profit margin.A tidy profit in my own pocket feels better than it would if it were in some other pocket

And what about self-employment?

In reply to Resume Time Gaps

After becoming impatient with “the joys of unemployment,” what about starting up your own PC/LAN business? Since you’re already in the field…. Beats hanging around, waiting for the phone to ring, right? … :o)

Frank from Upstate NY

I list two

In reply to And what about self-employment?

Companys that I contract out as a 24/7 person but I list them as not needing alot of help because of the way that I have set their network up.

Two things you must do

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

First, DURING the break. Do everything possible to make it NOT a break. Even if you’re going to school or in the hospital. Even if you’re marrying Donald Trump and don’t expect to ever have to get back into the rat race. Remember that life is what happens while you’re making other plans.

Start a consulting business: Get the DBA name, print and hand out the business cards, run the ads, file the tax returns. Even if you don’t get a single client, at least you have evidence that you were an IT professional. And by all means try to get a few clients, even if they’re your friends or community organizations or charities and they don’t pay you. This will give you some work experience to discuss more or less honestly, and a few people you could list as references in a pinch.

If you’re starting a business, that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. It shows ambition and hard work. The fact that it didn’t succeed just makes it one of the nine out of ten that fail. But make it about IT. And follow the rules above about creating the scenario of actually being in business and having artifacts and contacts to prove it.

Second, AFTER the break. Repeat after me: I WAS WORKING. The root of the problem is that managers want to have control over YOU, not vice versa. If you appear to be a person who has the strength of character to stop working when she wants to, then what’s to stop you from bailing out of this job (or this boss) if it becomes abusive? Character is not a valued trait in the job market, at least not in the USA.

Even going back to school doesn’t sit well with hiring managers, for the same reason: You might decide to do it again. Getting married or having a baby? Horrors! A sexist manager’s worst nightmare. Surgery? Who needs a sickly employee! (I’m being rhetorically unkind to show you what these jerks are thinking.)

Do not write your resume or say anything in an interview that gives the impression that you were not working for more than a few months. And then go back and pave over those short gaps so they don’t even show up. Phrase everything in a positive way and be as creative as necessary.

Personally I found 9/11 to be the exception. Many managers understood its anomalous effect on the job market and hired people who had been out of work for as long as nine months. But apparently it wasn’t like that for everyone.

I have to disagree, you just need a hungry fish

In reply to Two things you must do

Yes, I did take time off to get more education, yes
I may do it again. A) I can deliver what you need now. B) I don’t bail on a project or without proper notice. If the job gets abusive you may as well know now, I will be gone.
This is a two way street. I deliver at a high level, I make moves that help me to get ahead. Yes I do take 3 to 6 months off when I get a chance. No I am not begging for anything, yes I will help you in your business, not I am not a slave that will work for nothing.
There is nothing wrong with this. There is nothing wrong with doing what ever it is that you want, as long as you meet your commitments and you are honest. A job is a 2 way street something for both of us, if not C U wouldn’t want to B U.
Good employeers understand this. You man need to show references, but that should be expected.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to work for money, nothing wrong with being expensive, nothing wrong with having a life.
You need to build a rep that makes them hope your are available when they call.
Just keep looking.
I bet you can not apply a 100 good prospects without getting hired.
We just have that tendency to get a little scared and worry if we will find something.
Keep strong, you will find something. It is like
fishing, there is no real secret to making a fish bite, you just need to find a hungry fish.

Just lie.

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Look, do you want a job? If yes, 2 years is indeed a long time. Get a friend to pose as a former boss in some sort of contract job with a real or faux company, and have him tell a good line to any inquiring employer. Despite what anyone else in this string says, it doesn’t matter jack whether or not you’ve been working the last 2 years. I know plenty of people who’ve been employed, but haven’t done anything noteworthy on the job during that time, so it’s all relative. What if you were performing in a rock band for the whole 2 years? Or traveling the world? Either way, if you weren’t a lazy slough, then it doesn’t really matter anyways, and it’s not the employer’s business what you were doing, as well. You want to work, and you want to give your best for fair compensation, that’s the only important point.

A lie on your resume is the fastest way to getting fired!

In reply to Just lie.

Anyone thinking of false entries on a resume should think again! Most employers now verify entries on a resume, the result having your application deposited in the trash can if they catch your lie(s) before hiring, and if they find you out after hiring, virtually an automatic immediate dismissal.

Confirming resumes

In reply to A lie on your resume is the fastest way to getting fired!

Many employers not only interview the references, but call the HR department of the previous employer. Most HR departments will only provide Job Titles and dates, but if those aren’t right, its a huge red flag.

James

Unemployed 2 1/2 yrs and counting!!

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I’m in the very same position that you are in. My last employer went belly up two years ago, and in that time I’ve had but 3 interviews! I only have an Associates, primarily worked as a COBOL/Dbase/Foxpro programmer, but over the last 15 years been more of a system admin working with AS400, DOS 1-6.0, Win 3.1, 95/98/NT 4.0/2K/XP, Exchange, ISA, and SQL server, MAC OS9 & OSX.

In discussions with recruiters & employers the negatives that I hear are: You don’t have a bachelor’s, we require the following certs: CCIE, CCVP, CISSP, MCSE 2k & 2k3 with messaging/security, CNE, RHCE, etc., etc. You have only worked for small companies. You have not worked in 2 years. And what I have done in the previous 30 years NOT COUNT FOR ANYTHING?? Why haven’t you finished your bachelor’s? Simple: no 4 yr college will accept any transfer credits. Since I went to a vocational HS my last 2 yrs, they also don’t accept my HS diploma either!!! The hole that I’m in just keeps getting deeper!

In short, I am at a total loss as to how to re-establish my IT career. I also tried the local tech college. Their response was that they only refer former students who have graduated within the past year. Employment with them? Not a chance, you must have a 4 yr degree to work in their IT services area, no exceptions! The final blow came when the state job services dept. suggested that I retire. I realize that these people really don’t care, but THAT attitude considering I’m not even 55 yet!!!!!!!

You are not stuck, and you are not alone.

In reply to Unemployed 2 1/2 yrs and counting!!

I have your same work experience, but I had 2-year break to stay home with my baby that became a 5-break after the dot com bust. I also don’t have the breadth of experience you have.

An option: Find a company that uses the skills you want to learn. Offer to work PART TIME and learn the apps/systems on your own time.

Another option: You can get into a junior college and take a night course in “Intro to Oracle” or something else. That gives you a “get in free” card to the computer lab where you can stay all day and learn whatever they have installed on the computers. Talk to your instructor, and he/she will most likely lend you additional books and give you a password to requested areas.

If you have the paperwork to get on welfare, or are on it, or on unemployment, tuition at a JC is usually free or very cheap. No idea how this works outside California…

And talk to EVERYONE – find out where they are working. This is how I have gotten most of my jobs, thru a friend of a friend – otherwise know as Networking.

You don’t necessarily need to get your GED to get moving.

Getting Busy, Getting Back

In reply to You are not stuck, and you are not alone.

One of my favorite lines from ‘Galaxy Quest’

“Never Give Up, Never Surrender!”

The world is teeming with opportunities. Right now. All you need to do is find the one for you.

You have two things to do:
– Realize what you do best
– Find a way to do it

Take a personal inventory of what you love to do and are REALLY good at. Use that to drive a new, energetic resume. Use that to build energy for you in interviews and on the phone with recruiters.

Make it your passion to find a job that lets you shine. How?

Employ yourself with the task of finding that job by doing intense research.

1 – Find any and all industries, companies and job descriptions that suit your talents. Don’t limit your search. Brainstorm with some really qualified and trusted friends (even old work buddies). Don’t limit your search within your local area. Think global. Think Big.

2 – Research the companies quickly to focus on the best ones.

You want companies with a certain level of growth, potential and desperation. Dig deeper into your prime candidates. You want a company that has its books in order. The CEO should be a commanding leader with vision. The CFO should watch the books like a hawk but willing support strategic corporate projects. You want exciting future plans, devoted investors and solid cash flow. Learn how to read financial statement. It does not need to be big companies, just ones that think big.

3 – Sell yourself to those companies.

Find a way to meet key executives, get to know them and ask for job search tips after they know you better. Maybe they attend a church or have kids in scouts. Volunteer there and get involved. Get to know the others around them as well. It may take a while but if you try to rush it you might just kill any chances.

Don’t ask someone if they know who is hiring, ask them if they have any ideas on selling what you have. Don’t ask what they need, tell them what you want to do. What you have fun with. Remember, you are selling, not buying.

You are not unemployed, you are finding the right job. And searching is more than a full time job. Ask any consultant.

Cheers

..

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Sorry… double post

Break in your resume?

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

You have valid reasons for your break. I’m not a professional career counselor but I think instead of having a gap when you were in your photography business – I would indicate that the same way you would describe a job in a resume. For example: Established photography business specializing in (here insert – pet photos, family & children’s photos, store openings, publicity shots, award dinners, etc.), developed business plan, solicited and obtained private (or bank) financing, located and set-up studio, contracted with local pet shops (childrens stores, etc.)to provide numerous holiday photo events (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.) Indicate how long it took you to set up this business and how long you worked at it. You could even say that you have decided to make this venture a hobby instead of a “job”. Hope this helps!

Contract work, free & paid.

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Contract work, free & paid can fill any gap!
Mine is 4 years to date, and now I like it so much that a job is unimportant!

Voids

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I departed the work force to care for 4 children
during their 12 to 16 years and it paid better
benefits than any job anywhere. I’m fortunate to have a wife who could become the breadwinner
and allowed her to pursue her career goals. I
have since been employed for 6 years before
a layoff two years ago. I had 20 years with a
large corporation with a large parachute and
stocks and bonds that lasted long enough to
devote my time and not worry about the mortgage.
Starting your own business is where it’s at for
me, but partners are essential and wisely
chosen will make the difference.

Reply To: Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Tell then you took the time off to attend school full time or that you want it to start your on business and thing did not worked out and you need to go back to job place.

Think of why a gap might be a problem

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

To deal with this, put yourself in the mind of your potential new employer: as the recruiter is probably trying to do. Employing someone is a process of balancing the opportunity of hiring a great new person, with the risk of hiring a loser. Most employers with adopt a risk minimisation strategy when hiring, using aspects like extended career breaks, especially those related to personal issues as an indicator of a high risk hire.
You have to neutralise the inferred risk that your work break brings: first of all by a plausible and supportable explanation of why it happened. If you can make the recruiter and the employer think it was reasonable behaviour to take the break it will help dispel the risk element in their minds.
If the reason was extreme or perhaps less easy to explain positively, make it clear it was an exceptional episode, belonging to a different place, time and a different you.
Finally, employers are looking for a narrative – a progressing story of how you as a person have moved forward to the point you are brought to them. The gap should be presented in terms of how it developed you as a person both in terms of personality and skills. Maybe you had the experience of running a business. Maybe you raised a child, maybe you developed artistic and creative pursuits. Demonstrate how this has widened, stabilised or deepened your understanding of the world and if plausible, the business you would be employed in.
Your goal is to paint that gap in its most positive light, even as an opportunity to be refreshed and reorientated that others have not had.
Good luck.

break in emoloyment

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

go to TRIAD-corp.com website for some very
well written advise on resumes, interviews
resume writing, etc. I thimk they address
breaks.

Go into Business

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

Several years ago, I went through a similar time. I was without permanent employment for nearly a year. I handled the time on my resume by calling it “self-employed”. I noticed you are doing some photography. List your employer as “Balloonchaser Photography”, and go on to explain that you were self-employed.
In my case, I sold insurance, did carpentry, mowed lawns, worked some short term contract programming jobs, etc. I listed it all under a consulting business which I explained as being mine. After all, isn’t that the real truth? Aren’t you self-employed, if you’re not working for someone else?

dont give up

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

I’ve been out of work sence july of last year. Shoot, I worked at the mall selling bloody cd’s to make in’s meet.
I have just accepted an entry level pl/sql position. Does it match my experience. Nope, but will I take the position. Yup, gladly. Is it long term, nope. Only 3 months. Do I care? Nope, it at least fill’s that open area of my resume.
Don’t give up, keep on trying.

droolin

gandersen’s right

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

If you’re making it on your own for two years, you’re self-employed. Unless you have been a couch potato for the last two years, you’ve had to do something to get by.

Tell them it was your dream to try full-time photography, but it’s not shaping up as you had hoped. That’s why you can take the time to find a quality position, and don’t have to be desperate to take the first job offered.

Turn this “liability” into an asset.

Recruiters

In reply to Unemployed for awhile. How do you handle a break in your resume?

someone said, explain in the interview. I agree, but I think you are saying that you don’t get to the interview.
1) remember that most recuriters suck and most have no Idea what to look for. So those who don’t talk to you almost always fall into that group.

2) don’t lie, as has been suggested, this may get you an interview and even a job, but you just set yourself up for even bigger problems.

3) rewrite your resume to fill the gaps with something you are doing. Do this as best you can and then explain the details in the interview.

** in my last interview the interviewer asked me about gaps…. I had never even thought of gaps, to me the several 6 to 10 month gaps in the last 10 years were not gaps. I was doing something most of the time and some of the times I did take 3 to 6 months off.
I simply said what I was doing, when you leave a job and are looking for another, to me that is a good time to take 3 to 6 months vacation. I told them that I typically don’t start to work immediately after leaving one.
No problem.

but you do need to get to the interview.
use creative writing, but NO NOT LIE

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