Gaps in CV

[Sheets Tabuer]

How would someone explain work gaps to an employer?

About two years ago I gave up nearly 17 years in IT to look after my disabled son but I would dearly love a little job to prevent mind rot, it looks like I may be able to go back to work soon as the family might be able to help out more (I say might, none of this is set in stone)

How can I explain this two year gap to a potential employer and after two years out of IT should I just forget that field and try something else?

Caring 24 hours a day is probably the hardest thing I have ever done and I could do with a job for the rest

[Dave^]

Tell the truth?

[Soovy]

Dave^ said:

Tell the truth?

This.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Well obviously I will explain fully if I got an interview, I was wondering how to address it on a cv.

[Dave^]

Like you would any other "Position", no?

IE - the first line of your paragraph above, extended a little...

(That's what I would do anyway, there's no point trying to cover up any facts that will come out during an interview which may end up making you look like a) a liar, or b) that you're trying to cover up two years of coke and hooker addiction...)

[Conian]

2008 - 2010 Disclosed due to Official Secrets Act, but what I can say is this.... choppachoppachoppa neyyyyyyyoooooooooooow pew-pew-pew-pew KABLOOOOM die infadel! er-er-e-r-er-e-r-er-e-r-e-r-e-re-r aiiiiiiiiiiie die tommy pic-dog DIVE DIVE DIVE! Arise Sir Sheets Tabeur.. click click click Madonna who is your new mystery man? vrrrrrrrroooooooom screeeeech nee naw nee naw really Lewis, you'll take the rap for me? quick swap seats. G'day officer!

failing that, be honest, you did a wonderful thing and i cant see many employers holding that 2 year gap against you for such noble reasons

[itsnotarace]

Conian said:

2008 - 2010 Disclosed due to Official Secrets Act, but what I can say is this.... choppachoppachoppa neyyyyyyyoooooooooooow pew-pew-pew-pew KABLOOOOM die infadel! er-er-e-r-er-e-r-er-e-r-e-r-e-re-r aiiiiiiiiiiie die tommy pic-dog DIVE DIVE DIVE! Arise Sir Sheets Tabeur.. click click click Madonna who is your new mystery man? vrrrrrrrroooooooom screeeeech nee naw nee naw really Lewis, you'll take the rap for me? quick swap seats. G'day officer!

[Sheets Tabuer]

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

[t84]

Write a short paragraph after your last employment?


2001-2008 - MegaCorp Inc - Super Mega Manager

In this job I did stuff

2008-Present

I took a two year gap to look after my disabled son, etc etc?

[Chris_OCR]

t84 said:

Write a short paragraph after your last employment?

2008-Present

I took a two year gap to look after my disabled son, etc etc?

2001-2008 - MegaCorp Inc - Super Mega Manager

In this job I did stuff

EFA

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

correct, reverse chronolgoy and definetely tell the truth.

[lestag]

Sheets Tabuer said:

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

Just expand (briefly) on how your son is being looked after now, and any impact (if at all) it may have to your availabiltiy (ie you have a dependant)

From am employer side, that would run through my mind (and I would ask in an interview). It wouldn't put me off selecting for interview but it may others , if not explained in CV ( your CV is your first interview...)

[scirocco265]

lestag said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

Just expand (briefly) on how your son is being looked after now, and any impact (if at all) it may have to your availabiltiy (ie you have a dependant)

From am employer side, that would run through my mind (and I would ask in an interview). It wouldn't put me off selecting for interview but it may others , if not explained in CV ( your CV is your first interview...)

This is ideal - unfortunately, as an employer I would want to ensure that there wouldn't be any issues going forward. Definitely include it in your CV as it were another position.

[lestag]

scirocco265 said:

lestag said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

Just expand (briefly) on how your son is being looked after now, and any impact (if at all) it may have to your availabiltiy (ie you have a dependant)

From am employer side, that would run through my mind (and I would ask in an interview). It wouldn't put me off selecting for interview but it may others , if not explained in CV ( your CV is your first interview...)

This is ideal - unfortunately, as an employer I would want to ensure that there wouldn't be any issues going forward. Definitely include it in your CV as it were another position.

Of course the other way to do it is to put down "home executive" or similar (looking after family) and keep it low key and explain at a proper interview.

[Sheets Tabuer]

scirocco265 said:

lestag said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

Just expand (briefly) on how your son is being looked after now, and any impact (if at all) it may have to your availabiltiy (ie you have a dependant)

From am employer side, that would run through my mind (and I would ask in an interview). It wouldn't put me off selecting for interview but it may others , if not explained in CV ( your CV is your first interview...)

This is ideal - unfortunately, as an employer I would want to ensure that there wouldn't be any issues going forward. Definitely include it in your CV as it were another position.

Brilliant, thanks to both of you, just what I was looking for.

[Chris_OCR]

lestag said:

scirocco265 said:

lestag said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

Thanks for the responses.

I guess a part of me is reluctant to submit a CV in case an employer just looks at the two year gap when in reality I have worked harder in the last two years than I ever did behind a desk.

Thanks all, time to get writing.

Just expand (briefly) on how your son is being looked after now, and any impact (if at all) it may have to your availabiltiy (ie you have a dependant)

From am employer side, that would run through my mind (and I would ask in an interview). It wouldn't put me off selecting for interview but it may others , if not explained in CV ( your CV is your first interview...)

This is ideal - unfortunately, as an employer I would want to ensure that there wouldn't be any issues going forward. Definitely include it in your CV as it were another position.

Of course the other way to do it is to put down "home executive" or similar (looking after family) and keep it low key and explain at a proper interview.

If I saw "home executive" on a CV it would very quickly end up in the bin!