Where to go from here...

[Waldo]

You are not being dishonest. You're just not divulging all the details. Think of it as mArketing spin. Would you buy a used car if you knew that it had a history of breaking down?

An employer, particularly in this market, has a nearly unlimited supply of seemingly great candidates. Don't say or do anything that cast yourself in anything but the most flattering light.

I've interviewed dozens of women who sabotage themselves in similar manners and it always makes me sad. I'd love to be able to pull them asi and explain it to them.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by Waldo

You are not being dishonest. You're just not divulging all the details. Think of it as mArketing spin. Would you buy a used car if you knew that it had a history of breaking down?

An employer, particularly in this market, has a nearly unlimited supply of seemingly great candidates. Don't say or do anything that cast yourself in anything but the most flattering light.

I've interviewed dozens of women who sabotage themselves in similar manners and it always makes me sad. I'd love to be able to pull them asi and explain it to them.

That's so true, especially about the car. I guess I've never really thought of the "marketing spin" side of it. Funny how I can be so intelligent at some things and have zero common sense at others...lol I just have such a bad habit of being too "detailed", especially when I'm afraid that I will be misrepresenting an issue. I think that's what I'm afraid of. I'm scared that I will "market myself" and then down the road somehow the issue will come up and I will feel like I misrepresented myself. It's probably another reason why I don't embellish a darn thing on my resume. It's very blunt and to the point...lol

Thanks again Waldo, you've been a really big help.

[little man]

i have had a tendency to job hop. once the challenge is gone or i find there is nowhere to go, i find other work. obviously, employers don't like the idea of hiring someone who will leave after a couple of years.

when i put my resume together, i base it on cumulative years of specific skills or skillsets. i can recall being asked only once for specific dates and employers.

thusfar, i've not had much issue finding work. i have a broad set of job skills and point to those rather than time with a specific employer.

[sharkchomp]

Ya know, I think I'd just say I was taking care of someone in my family. Which isn't exactly a lie as YOU are a person in your family. The job market is tough right now and tons of people are looking for work. As long as you're healthy, it's really noone's business why you were out of work or who you took care of - even yourself! Hang in there and don't give up!!!!!!

~~~shark~~~~~~~~

[T D]

Originally Posted by sharkchomp

Ya know, I think I'd just say I was taking care of someone in my family. Which isn't exactly a lie as YOU are a person in your family. The job market is tough right now and tons of people are looking for work. As long as you're healthy, it's really noone's business why you were out of work or who you took care of - even yourself! Hang in there and don't give up!!!!!!

~~~shark~~~~~~~~

Actually I've used this one myself in the past, and with no problem what-so-ever.

Best of luck to you!

[Rockinonahigh]

Dose this ever hit home for me,u c im in sorta the same boat.I was in an accident three years ago and havent worked much except for doing catering dureing holiday seasons.When I had my resume done over I was advised to only put my qulifacations as a chef on it and not my years as anything else.Its either im over qulified or they question the gap in the resume.I have a stock anser of takeing cae of family(me)tho I dont tell them its me.THe injury was to my back and standing for long periods of time is a bit of a problem,but as long as I have a safty rubber mat to stand on it helps as well as being abe to move around..being a chef is a labor intensive job at best but one I love to do and have no intention in giveing up on.All I can say is keep trying cause thats all I can do as well.

[Gayla]

Ditto what everyone else has said. I have a somewhat major gap in my employment history because I took time off to spend with my mother before she died. If I'm asked about the gap, I say I was taking care of a family member during an extended illness.

The only time anyone has ever asked for more detail was one woman who had just gotten back from a leave of absence because she was taking care of her mother. Most people don't ask for more details because asking can come close to crossing lines of things they aren't supposed to ask about during an interview.

[betenoire]

ditto what little_man said. "skill based" resumes are actually pretty much the norm nowadays. they're also especially helpful if the job you are now seeking isn't identical to the jobs you have had previously...it's all about the transferable skills.