Employment Gaps

[EvenStrongerNow]

How do you explain employment gaps to potential employers? I haven't had a real job since 2010.

Should I say, "I'm a trauma survivor and I have taken steps to ensure it won't interfere with my work"??

I'm just unsure what to say when they ask. I've been saying, "I was trying to figure out what exactly it is that I wanted to do." They don't seem to respond well to that one. I don't know what else to say. :(

 

[franciemarnie]

Did you work on anything artistically or with some hobby or anything you could play up? Like maybe you took time to write a book or something where it looks like you were productive and going after a goal.

You may know that it's a skewed presentation of what really happened but they don't. Personally I would not say I took time out for any medical condition, but maybe that's worked for some people.

 

[catjudo]

I wouldn't go with the cold hard truth. As bad as this may sound, find a story that is believable and commit to it. The first time I had a lengthy gap in employment due to my illness also happened to coincide with a time when my grandmother's health had taken a significant downward spiral. I hadn't really planned a response to questions about my lapse in employment when I was interviewing and the first time someone asked me I just spun a lie on the spot and said that I had taken time away from working to help my family care for my grandmother who was ill. They accepted it, didn't ask more questions and didn't scrutinize my lapse in employment any further, instead focusing on my education and experience. It seemed to work so I stuck with the same story with subsequent potential employers. I think I only had two or three different interviews before I landed a great position.

The next lapse of employment for me was much, much longer but I also happened to have my daughter during that time. So when returning to work and people asked about the lapse I said it was because I had been a stay-at-home-mom. Sure that was the truth, but my lapse in employment began well before I became a mother, but nobody was checking birth certificates and verifying dates. Taking time off to be a mother was acceptable in an employer's view and they didn't ask further questions about the lapse...they focused on what I could bring to the job. I got the second job that I interviewed for.

Both times I wasn't really truthful but there was a thread of truth to what I was saying which helped me to just stick to the story. If you tell a potential employer that you haven't been working because you are a trauma survivor, as unfair as it seems, you won't be getting a call back from them. I know there will be some people who will not agree with what I did, but this is what has worked for me.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Well, what I have been saying, "I was figuring out what I wanted to do in life" isn't responded to well.

I guess I'm posting because I'm trying to figure out what to say. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't have children, I don't live near my family really, etc.

And I do not believe in lying.

 

[ghotiff]

Its tricky to find something that does not 'lie' but also does not tell the full truth (which you do not need to disclose). Maybe something below speaks to your personal truth and might work for you.

Maybe....I had some health issues but I am better now. If they want more details your could say....they are are bit personal and I'd rather not discuss them....or, I'm not comfortable discussing the details...or, I appreciate you caring enough to ask but I'd rather spend our time on seeing if I am a good fit for this role....or, its a bit of a long (and awkward/personal?) conversation and I'd rather save it for a more appropriate time....or smile and say with a joke tone and say 'how long do you have' and then straight after (before they have time to say anything) ask a question about the job to get the interview focused back onto the topic at hand.

Maybe....That you took time off to take care of (or help) a sick family member....(the side step here would be that the sick family member was actually yourself, maybe your more comfortable thinking of taking care of your inner child or child self). If they asked further, you could maybe respond with ... it was a mental illness which is now substantially behind them and I would rather not discuss more for privacy reasons.

Maybe....I needed to take some time off to deal with some important/urgent family issues (not detailing that they were yours or someone else's or a combination, or that they were from your past) and it was important to you that it did not affect your work performance and so you took time away from work for that period.

Maybe there is a Latin or other obscure name for PTSD that you could learn to pronounce. That way you have answered truthfully, but in such a way that they would have to remember the words and then go and look them up. If they asked for clarification you could just comment, yeah not many people know about that one, or its not that common (and follow up with a question about the job).

You could say in any of the above to soften it (to not make the issue so big)...that you were very lucky at the time to be in a strong enough financial position to be able to take some time to prioritise a health issue.

Hope that helps you find something that will work for you and your personal truth.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Could you say, "I had some serious personal health issues that required a step back, but now I'm ready to come back to the world of work"? It's true without being so true that you might be discriminated against and reassures them that you're ready and OK to be a good employee.

 

[billie]

Have you ever travelled hun?

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Those are great ideas, thanks so much. I think stating that I struggled with some health issues that I have recovered from now might be just the thing to say. Not everyone asks about the employment gap. Only one interviewer did so I will just keep it to myself unless I'm asked. Anyone who minds my personal truth who doesn't want to hire me because of that, well I don't want to work for them anyways lol

Thanks so much for the ideas!!

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Anyone who minds my personal truth who doesn't want to hire me because of that, well I don't want to work for them anyways

I apply this to every type of relationship I can think of, professional, friendship, romantic, anything!

 

[catjudo]

Anyone who minds my personal truth who doesn't want to hire me because of that, well I don't want to work for them anyways lol

In general, I would agree with this sentiment. But from an employers point of view, try not to take it personally. It is their job to look at the bottom line. When they ask about an employment gap it is generally because sometimes it can be an indicator of a person who does not stick with a job, can be unreliable, may not really need a job, or may be unable to stay with the job for whatever reason. There is a time and money investment made by an employer when they hire and train a new employee. They want to feel like they are hiring someone who will be able and willing to stay with their company for more than just a short time. They are trying to do what is best for their company. That's understandable.

Whatever response you decide on, just make sure it sends a message to them that your gap in employment is a non-issue and they needn't be concerned about your willingness, desire or ability to work for them for the foreseeable future.