How to explain gaps in employment?

Hi-

I have been unemplyed due to my MI for over 2 years. How have others explained the gaps in their employment? I am afraid if I am completely honest, I will not be hired, not matter how qualified I am for the position.
Any opinions or experiences?

I have volunteered on a very limted basis during this time, but it was not related to my field and also kept me away from people whom would increase my anxiety.

Thanks!

Thankfully I was still a student for most of my 3 year break from working, so that's my excuse.

By chance,
Are you changing careers?
Have you gone back to school?
Have you taken care of family?

Volunteering is significant and can let them know that too, even to put it on your resume to list as "Other or Additional Experience" with company/organization name, location(s), and the date(s), to show you have not been idle during this time. If asked, let them know something along the lines that you 'wanted to take some time to help out in the community, while you reprioritized (or changed) your career plans/goals.'

I'm not suggesting that you lie, but the best thing to do is to say that you were doing independent work, or contracting 1099 work in your field for yourself. If there's any type of personal work you did during that time, expand on that. Do not ever tell a potential employer that you struggle with mental health issues.

Yes, that was one tactic I used and I also had some part-time and "self employed" work I covered with. I just made what I was doing look deliberate and like I meant for it to happen that way

I'd say something like you took a two-year "sabbatical from work to pursue a personal health improvement project", but only if they ask, I wouldn't put anything on my resume.

I put on my cv that I was taking care of my mum and expanded employment where I could.

Yeah I am not sure what I would put since I have an over 3 year gap now. I don't have any work experience. I don't know how to lie but I am still struggling with my problems so not sure if I will ever be able to gain employment.

Definitely focus on volunteering and you can say it was a time in your life where you were looking for a change, to develop other skills, to take a sabbatical. I agree that the fact you have been ill should be kept private. Were you in counseling or attending workshops? Just wondering if you can say you were attending workshops for "different things" as part of figuring out what you wanted to do next in your career/work life.

I don't like lying either but I usually explain it by saying that I was taking care of a loved one during that time.

One option is to put the years of a job, rather than both the month and year. So instead of saying that you were at Job X from April 2011 - May 2012, put that you were there from 2011-2012.

Also, as someone whose hired people in the past, my primary concerns were: 1) can they do the job?, 2) are they reliable?, and 3) how well will they fit with the rest of the employees?

Honestly, with all the economic issues of the past 5+ years, I think employers tend to be more forgiving of employment gaps then they used to be.

I'm in the same situation. I wish I could just be honest about my Mental Illness but that's too big a risk to take. You could tell the interviewer that you wanted a break from the duties of your past employment and decided to get a volunteer job to keep your personal skills sharp and see what else is out there that might bring you more satisfaction. I don't think any interviewer would fault you for wanting to widen your horizons.
Have you ever read "What Color is My Parachute?" There are a couple of chapters dealing with the question you are asking. One of the chapters even deals with being released from prison and how to present that diplomatically.
Personally, I am looking for a book that specifically deals with Mental Illness and work related repercussions and doing research on the Internet on the same subject maybe from a blog or other resource. With all the individuals that are challenged with Mental Illness I would think someone has addressed the issue in writing. I'll make sure I share the information on this forum if I come up with something helpful.

Thanks everyone-

I had an over the phone interview for a job I am more than qualified for. They would just have to train me to do a specific task, as they would anyone else. AS for the gap in my resume, I did state i was an active volunteer in teo non profits as well as take care of aging family members.

I am just wondering, my cousin's husband created an LLC. What would happen if I used that as the last 2 1/2 yrs and stated I was a consutant? As long as the husband verifies this, is there a way to track this? I do not like to lie either, but....

Thanks.

Say you were a stay at home mom or dad.

With my resume I put the number of years I was employed not the actual dates; example: 5 years at so and so and 7 years at this one. In order up to the present. Seems to work well and if they need to know more I will tell them. Also you can always put domestic engineer for the years you didn't work!

Kirby,
I see no reason why you couldn't put your cousin's LLC down as a job where you were a consultant. I know we don't like to lie, but unfortunately society's current stigma of mental disease forces us to bend the truth occasionally.