[also_depr]

Many people with mental issues also have gaps in their CVs. Some are small, 2-3 months, and not a big deal, you could be changing job, waiting for a course to start, helping out a relative, whatever.

But what about your bigger gaps? Those that are 2+ years? You don't want to leave it empty, or let people think that you were in prison, but you also don't want to put there mental issues. Even if you are realistic about having mental issues, sometimes it's not wise to confess it.

So, what do you put on your CV if you have a gap of >2 years???

[DoggyBonz]

Originally Posted by also_depr

Many people with mental issues also have gaps in their CVs. Some are small, 2-3 months, and not a big deal, you could be changing job, waiting for a course to start, helping out a relative, whatever.

But what about your bigger gaps? Those that are 2+ years? You don't want to leave it empty, or let people think that you were in prison, but you also don't want to put there mental issues. Even if you are realistic about having mental issues, sometimes it's not wise to confess it.

So, what do you put on your CV if you have a gap of >2 years???

The first thing I would do is consult a career counselor. There are plenty of free ones through division of unemployment or career places. Also were you getting treatment during that whole time in a facility if not what else were you doing - volunteer work, etc... I think it's important to not make it a big deal on your resume and wait for a perspective employer to ask. When they do you could simply say that you had family obligations or taking classes. Therapy is like a class but depending on your situation I would ask a counselor or if you have a friend that hires people ask them.

[Cotton ball]

Create your own Corporation, LLC, S-corp whatever.. through your local state...inexpensive and easy to do. You can do it online...Then your gap is filled. You are CEO of your own corp,llc or whatever suits your needs. You dont need to explain your personal business to new employers.

[Cotton ball]

Just get your tax id through the state and set up a bank account if you plan on using it-most banks will only require a $10 minimum...
Don't feel bad. The economy is horrible. It's not just MI, or other issues. Its very sad if you aren't working you are percieved as lazy even if you try really hard but the jobs are not there.

[Astridetal]

I have too much info out there on the Internet (and a five-year gap that was entirely spent inpatient) not to be honest, so I will likely tell the truth.

[Cotton ball]

Good luck,
There is nothing dishonest about setting up your own Corp, I'm not suggesting you lie and say you were head of a multi-million corp.
If it is technically illegal for them to ask... do not volunteer your info.
I hope you find a job that suits your needs and makes you happy.

I like to fill my gaps with lies.

[sunblossom]

This is a tough one. I agree with waiting to be asked and being vague. Personal, family reasons should cover it. Follow up with assuring them the time gap is no issue to your readiness to do the job. Draw attention back to your strengths and the gap will be a non-issue.

The down side to setting up a business to explain the gap (other than the ethical question... or the 'what webs we weave.....) is the likelihood that potential employers will want some customer feedback information. Your business' customers become the equivalent to a past employer or any other professional reference.

[wing]

These are good suggestions. The one I used was family obligations. Nobody questioned me further about it. I'd have a lie ready just in case. Remember, lying about something like that is not going to bring illness upon the person you choose to be the main character in your scenario. That's superstition.

[Perna]

I was working a series of part-time and self employed jobs so just put that; "self employed and personal projects". Without any work, I'd put "personal educational projects". If you are skilled, gaps aren't that big a deal anymore, it's not like our grandparents who spent all their time in one or maybe two jobs. I've gotten part-time jobs or volunteered where CV's didn't matter so much and worked from there into full-time too. Another thing, depending on "age"/experience, sometimes you can start your CV later, after all/most of the gaps.

A funny story; my husband interviewed a woman in her late-60's/early-70's, back in the early 1980's and asked about her experience/background and she started with World War II and her War experience (and she was French and had been part of the French Underground, he needed a French transcriber)! He had to gently tell her to start more recent.

Originally Posted by Perna

I was working a series of part-time and self employed jobs so just put that; "self employed and personal projects". Without any work, I'd put "personal educational projects". If you are skilled, gaps aren't that big a deal anymore, it's not like our grandparents who spent all their time in one or maybe two jobs. I've gotten part-time jobs or volunteered where CV's didn't matter so much and worked from there into full-time too. Another thing, depending on "age"/experience, sometimes you can start your CV later, after all/most of the gaps.

A funny story; my husband interviewed a woman in her late-60's/early-70's, back in the early 1980's and asked about her experience/background and she started with World War II and her War experience (and she was French and had been part of the French Underground, he needed a French transcriber)! He had to gently tell her to start more recent.

Perna, that is such a cute story. What a dear woman!

[InTheShadows]

Originally Posted by Cotton ball

Create your own Corporation, LLC, S-corp whatever.. through your local state...inexpensive and easy to do. You can do it online...Then your gap is filled. You are CEO of your own corp,llc or whatever suits your needs. You dont need to explain your personal business to new employers.

That might be dangerous because a company can look up when the corporation was created and if it was after the gap in employment then you will be SOL because they know immediately that you lied on your resume.

I think it's best to just say you were taking care of a sick relative. You were, you are your own relative.

Shady

[fishsandwich]

You could look into making a skills-based CV, too.

http://www.open.ac.uk/careers/skills...ctional-cv.php

These are good for people with long gaps as they let you structure the information in such a way that chronology becomes less important.