Unemployment excuse?

[1083 Feedbacks]

My partner has been out of work for 4.5 years. She was made redundant in her last employment after 8 years with the company and was too stressed to work again due to being mistreated and bullied ( a long with some other staff at the time ). They had a big managerial shuffle and the new management were completely ruthless and unreasonable.

She's not been on benefits while off work, living off her savings and my income.

She now feels she can start working again after almost 5 years out.

I understand the potential new employer will ask why was she out for so long and it will raise eyebrows.

Is there any good excuse to slap on her CV so she can use to avoid struggling to get employed again? Obviously saying she did voluntary work or anything like that will require a reference. So that is out of the question.

Thanks

[tomsugden]

Had a baby.
Living abroad.
Caring for a sick relative.
Started own business.

[CubanPete]

Running or restoring the family home
Personal development
Pursuing personal projects / art / crafts
Or just say had a career break.


Edited to add good on her for fixing herself and believing in herself again. I had a bullying boss who made me very miserable for quite some time. What does she do / where are you based?

Edited by CubanPete on Wednesday 23 January 12:40

[V8mate]

I've worked for the public sector for the last nine years, so to cover up I just put that I've been in prison for that duration on my CV.

If the OP's missus only needs 4.5 years, she's well short of the really serious crimes.

[1083 Feedbacks]

tomsugden said:

Had a baby.
Living abroad.
Caring for a sick relative.
Started own business.

With starting own business, wouldn't the potential employer be able to see on the P45 being self employed? or want to check companies house for the business info?

[1083 Feedbacks]

CubanPete said:

Running or restoring the family home
Personal development
Pursuing personal projects / art / crafts
Or just say had a career break.


Edited to add good on her for fixing herself and believing in herself again. I had a bullying boss who made me very miserable for quite some time. What does she do / where are you based?

Edited by CubanPete on Wednesday 23 January 12:40

She worked for a IT company based in the midlands.

[ReallyReallyGood]

What did she actually do for 4.5 years? Watch The Wright Stuff?

[deckster]

ReallyReallyGood said:

What did she actually do for 4.5 years? Watch The Wright Stuff?

This is the key. A 4.5 year break in itself isn't the end of the world, but it will help her immensely if she can come up with a list of things she's achieved in that time.

[Munter]

"I took the time out. Because I could. A bit of time to do whatever I felt like while I'm young, and decide what I want to do going forward. Couldn't do it forever, now I want to get stuck into something."

No?

[Harji]

No fibbing, you'll get caught out, be honest as most companies will want to check what you've been upto , or rather be able to confirm the dates. How you do that if she has not claimed benefits (trackable) I don't know.

[wiggy001]

Munter said:

"I took the time out. Because I could. A bit of time to do whatever I felt like while I'm young, and decide what I want to do going forward. Couldn't do it forever, now I want to get stuck into something."

No?

I'd assume they would make you a massive flight risk from day one... not worth the investment.

[Tyre Smoke]

As an employer, I would question any time off like this quite hard to get to the bottom of it. Telling lies to cover it up will soon get found out.

Be honest from the start.

[Bluesgirl]

She could be honest about the last job and say she decided that, after such a stressful period, she wanted to find something less demanding - she could have been caring for a relative and doing cleaning/childcare for a family member, keeping busy but taking her time to think about what direction to head in next. In my experience, employers do understand someone wanting to take time out. She could have been travelling - visiting family overseas - any of these would be acceptable. Perhaps demonstrating an interest in improving her skillset - doing a college/online course - would also be useful to show she's up for a new challenge now.

[48Valves]

Just be honest.

Any company worth working for will be understanding.

[Hoofy]

48Valves said:

Just be honest.

Any company worth working for will be understanding.

Yep. I guess it depends on how desperately someone needs a job.

So, OPer, what was she doing?

[carinatauk]

Housewife, then no one asks why

[konark]

48Valves said:

Just be honest.

Any company worth working for will be understanding.

Just say ' I'm bone idle and I hate working, I'm only looking for a job now 'cos I need some money'.

Too honest?

[PurpleTurtle]

It’s not so much the length of time out, (“I had some savings and my partner supported me”) but the lack of reference I’d be more concerned about. If she got booted out by bullying new management nearly 5yrs ago are they likely to a) remember her and b) give a decent reference. Is that available?

[gooner1]

PurpleTurtle said:

It’s not so much the length of time out, (“I had some savings and my partner supported me”) but the lack of reference I’d be more concerned about. If she got booted out by bullying new management nearly 5yrs ago are they likely to a) remember her and b) give a decent reference.

Presumably if she’s of working age with no kids and claiming benefits there was some kind of attempt by the DWP to get her back to work? Surely you can’t just ‘claim benefits’ as stated in the OP?

You have misread the OP's post.

[ReaperCushions]

carinatauk said:

Housewife, then no one asks why

Indeed, or trying to start a family or looking after the family home will get them to shut up pretty quickly so they don't stare down the barrel of some kind of sexism accusation.