Looking for work after several years of unemployment

Long story short, I lost my last job 7 years ago, became overwhelmed with anxiety & depression and became a hermit. After working through a lot of issues I'm finally at the stage where I feel ready to get back to work, and get my life back on track.

Obviously any potential employer will want to know why I was out of work for so long. Telling them I had a mental breakdown probably won't be the best way to push my name to the top of the list of candidates. How do I explain the employment gap without divulging information that may make me a less desirable candidate? Or is it best to just be straightforward and honest about it?

The question's been on my mind a while, so rather than dwell on it for yet another day, I figured I'd seek some input from others. Especially those who've shared a similar experience.

I was mostly out of work for about four years. I got a new job through a friend. I think that is the best way to get over this resume gap.

If that doesn't work, then I think you can say that you were lucky enough to be able to take some time off. I find that I can spin my gap so that it sounds enviable. It's still too much for some people to cope with, but not others.

You could say you took a hiatus. Started a business, you could have sold items on Craigslist, it doesn't matter. You may have to try a temp or other agency. Volunteer in the interim so you have something current.

I have not worked for the past year, and about six months of that time was due to severe depression. I just started last month volunteering a couple mornings a week at a museum. I'm also volunteering one day at an AA administrative office and have been doing that for a much longer time but of course don't have that on my resume.

I've had interviews and of course was asked what I've been doing for the past year. I don't believe admitting to struggles with mental illness is a good idea at all. I just said I took some time off for about six months and have been looking for a job for six months with no luck. That is all true. I can't help but wonder, though, if my gap in employment has been hurting my chances compared to other candidates. I would think at least to an extent it does, although I have gotten some interviews, as I said, despite the gap.

Best of luck in your job search. I think volunteering until a job comes through is a good idea and will look good on your resume.

Thanks, guys! I do agree it's probably a good idea to not divulge my struggle with mental illness in a job interview. I don't feel ashamed about it, it's just something that likely will get me sent straight to the "Oh, hell no!" pile.

Luckily I'm a graphic & web designer/developer, so I can always say I was freelancing. All I need to do is put up an updated portfolio, and I think I can slip past that question without needing an awkward explanation.

I'm not sure how old you are etc but employers might be likely to assume you had time out to have / look after children. A lot of women (and guys, increasingly) have chunks of time out of their CV because of that.

In my case... It actually looks good for people to assume that because it means they assume I've been there done that already so won't be doing it on their time, if that makes sense.

You could say something about how you decided to prioritize your family for a time, or something like that. I guess I would try and think up something fairly general... That was true... A bit ambiguous... That made it likely they would jump to their own conclusions... I don't feel bad about this because it is none of their business. Unprofessional of them to push this issue...

yes i think you should say something about taking care of family. you could say you were volunteering too. at something you know a bit about. i do hope you can get the job, it's great you are getting a job.

Obama made a speech a few months ago, trying to jawbone companies into not automatically rejecting the unemployed. The stigma attached to it is an illusion, like he said. It's wrong, so wrong, oh so so wrong..... and one of the many things I find is wrong with this mindset in this country.

He's also trying to get them to stop using credit history as a way of determining a good worker. I mean, if you're out of work, you're going to have trouble with bills. DUH!!!! And besides, he said just because someone is employed doesn't mean he/she will definitely be better than someone who is not. The latter may be even more eager to work, having been out of work. But nobody thinks that way.

It's a Catch 22: You need a job to get a job. People who lost their jobs during the Recession are esp. struggling, esp. if over 50. We have few safety nets here, and the few we have are so strict in their eligibility requirements.

I don't have much to add or anything to say, being that I'm kind of in the same boat. And to post a millions hugs to you.