"Fixing" a large hole in your CV/resume

[Deleted]

You write that you had health issues during the specific which have now been resolved.

As someone who used to work in tech recruitment - as soon as you see dates not listed on a CV, it's binned; as soon as you see that someone has fudged the truth on it, it's binned; as soon as you do a reference check and discover their CV has false dates on, it's binned.

You'll get the best response to just be honest and brief about it on the CV, if they ask for more detail in the hiring process give it at that point.

It's also very important to show you're still up to date and have been even if not working, "learning" something during the break periods. Include any courses you've done, any personal projects you've worked on, etc...

As I said, it's a gamble. Every company does it different and most are shit at recruiting. I'd play it safe myself and leave it out and if they happen to ask about it later I'd be honest.

I don't see a reason to mention the sickness unless they ask for it OR unless you has to quit your previous job for said sickness. It's kinda weird if you can't mention why you stopped your last job. :P

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A covering letter should always be positive and brief, never include anything that could be seen in a negative light whatsoever in it.

I've said this before but I'm quoting it again...don't ever put anything negative in a cover later, it will lead your CV straight to the trashbin.

[Deleted]

Eh... who really checks a resume anyway?

Im an emplyer (93 employees) and I also have alot of people in my social circle that own companies and none of us really check anything on a resume.
Well, not unless it's something so incredible (or hard to believe) anyway.

[chrisberb]

This link may be able to give some advice.
http://career-advice.monster.com/res...s/article.aspx

I know it can be scary because employment gaps are a "negative" strike against you.

[Deleted]

Also... the advice to start entry-level jobs... it doesn't really work. They'll see your prior experience, and won't hire because you're over qualified (been there, done that). It's sort of ageism, and illegal at some level, but there's plenty of other reasons they can choose to declare if it comes up.

I'm 50+, so I think there may have been some of that in my job search, but I did get lucky and find a job that leveraged my prior security clearance and experience with government contracting. Believe it or not, they value age/experience!

You can lie your way to an entry-level job np. You just don't list your real qualifications and state you have worked at some local company till it went burst, and now you're looking for another low end job. They are not gonna bother doing due diligence on entry level jobs.

[Strear]

I'm an IT manager. Here is how I'd see things if you applied for an IT job at our company :
- If I realize you lie, no matter how good you are for the job, how successful you ever were in anything you did, how amazingly low you require to be paid : you won't have the job and I'll immediatly end the conversation.
- I'd ask you about the holes in your CV, sure, but nobody's safe from such things and I know it.
- I'd ask you if you kept in touch with IT things, anybody today can have a virtualized environment on a computer, do some network labs, and so on.
- I'd ask you a few technical questions and make you pass some test.

Believe me, all managers aren't a bunch of cold hearted morrons, some would be happy to give a chance to someone who did what he could when he was sick, and absolutly wants to come back to work.

Believe me, don't lie.

[belfpala]

Hmmm, I'd be tempted to just not include dates in your work history on the resume, then if asked about it, just be honest.

This, pretty much, is what I'd do.

[Bakis]

I just said I decided to go with the I went travel for 1-2 years.
Just make sure you are at least not totally clueless about that country or are in case they ask ;o

[TheTaurenOrc]

I second just leaving out the dates.

Put something like '10 years experience' or words to that effect instead of a date range. How fast is your industry moving? You may want to go out of your way to prove you're up to speed on developments despite the gap; should it come up.

[Annoying]

Personal leave. I'd leave it at that on the resume, and when (not if, they will) they ask, explain it was a personal medical issue that you've taken care of. Explain that it won't have any effect on your ability to perform your duties.

Never divulge too much information. Regardless of it being unethical/illegal to decline a candidate on medical history, divulging too much information about it will impact your chances negatively. Mostly because they'll be mentally weighing the consequences of hiring someone who's had a serious illness/medical issue. Do give detailed information on dates/times for the leave. Don't tell them what the medical issue was, because the ADA protects you from ever needing to divulge that. Be honest, but try not to give them an ounce more than you need to.

What they *are* allowed to do: Express concerns that the medical issue may interfere with your ability to perform your duties. This is why it's important to acknowledge their concerns (which are legitimate), and ensure them that it's been resolved and won't be an issue. They're also allowed to have concerns about physical capabilities, but in the IT field, I don't see a problem in that. It's perfectly OK for them to ask if you're physically able to do a job, and if a previous medical issue would cause problems doing that.

[Rhine101]

Here is what folks don't get about resumes. Near anything can be put to on there. I put employment consultant and trainer on my resume cause I helped my friends and family do resumes and get jobs. It's the truth.

A lot of people need to learn how to write resumes.

Anyway. It depends on what you did. You can just leave it at that, try to muddle it, or do what I would do. Think about any job related things you did in that time and put that. Hell, if you kept up on training you can say you took time to educate yourself on current tech to make yourself a better worker. The. List all the leet shit you studies. Bonus points for certificates.

That will be $35.99. Employment consultant costs money.

[Sunseeker]

Hmmm, I'd be tempted to just not include dates in your work history on the resume, then if asked about it, just be honest.

I removed dates a LONG time ago on my work history and keep different resumes with different jobs depending on who I'm applying with.

This guy is 10-years my senior who, from the sounds of it, has a much more solid work record than I do. Removing dates and selecting the best and most relevant jobs is the clear way to go.

[Reeve]

I removed dates a LONG time ago on my work history and keep different resumes with different jobs depending on who I'm applying with.

This guy is 10-years my senior who, from the sounds of it, has a much more solid work record than I do. Removing dates and selecting the best and most relevant jobs is the clear way to go.

I haven't written up my resume in like 10 years now.

In other news, my boss told me yesterday he wants me to take over his position. I'm going to be the head of the Business Development department for a multi-national oil exploration company. You never would have convinced me in college that I'd someday be an oil executive, and especially not an oil executive in my early 30s.

[Puupi]

I haven't written up my resume in like 10 years now.

In other news, my boss told me yesterday he wants me to take over his position. I'm going to be the head of the Business Development department for a multi-national oil exploration company. You never would have convinced me in college that I'd someday be an oil executive, and especially not an oil executive in my early 30s.

Grats, antichrist!

[Deleted]

I haven't written up my resume in like 10 years now.

In other news, my boss told me yesterday he wants me to take over his position. I'm going to be the head of the Business Development department for a multi-national oil exploration company. You never would have convinced me in college that I'd someday be an oil executive, and especially not an oil executive in my early 30s.

An oil executive specialising in sales! Congratz I think you've just become the ultimate antichrist.

[Puupi]

An oil executive specialising in sales! Congratz I think you've just become the ultimate antichrist.

I think there should be some kind of law-aspect to it if it were to become the ultimate antichrist.

[Deleted]

I think there should be some kind of law-aspect to it if it were to become the ultimate antichrist.

Oil executive specialising in business development of their legal department which is responsible for suing random people?

[belfpala]

I think there should be some kind of law-aspect to it if it were to become the ultimate antichrist.

Screw that, the antichrist does whatever he/she wants.

[Deleted]

Don't say you were sick, that will hinder your job chances.

Don't lie either.

Just say you were in a position to have a gap period to spend time with friends and family, so you took the opportunity.

[chrisberb]

Don't say you were sick, that will hinder your job chances.

Don't lie either.

Just say you were in a position to have a gap period to spend time with friends and family, so you took the opportunity.

Didn't you just say not to lie....then instructed him to lie? o.0

[Deleted]

Didn't you just say not to lie....then instructed him to lie? o.0

Nope.

If he spent time with friends and family then he had told the truth, he had also omitted the fact he was ill.

If it was me, I would simply say I spent time with friends and family. IF the employer asked me how I supported myself, I may then offer the information that I was collecting government sick pay due to being ill.


The goal is to improve your job chances, whilst not lieing.

Never lie.

The employer doesn't need to know every little detail about your whole life story. They want to know if you can do the job, and are reliable. If they probe further, just be truthful and honest, but do it in a way that you are selling your positivity.