Where to go from here...

Gayla · 07-08-2010, 12:47 AM

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 · 07-08-2010, 12:58 AM

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.

Andrew, Jr. · 07-08-2010, 10:30 AM

Dixielady,

I really don't know when the right time is to disclose a chronic health issue to an employer. I have fought the same battle. I have no idea. And it doesn't help to have no gov't backing. We are the ones who "fall thru the cracks" if you know what I mean.

ox,
Andrew

chefhmboyrd · 07-08-2010, 10:44 AM

they don't need to know the details
like everone is saying
"i was taking care of a family member"

i am also and "honesty is the best policy" type of guy, but when it comes to business. lie like the dog you work for, i say

dixie · 07-08-2010, 06:52 PM

Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the advice and the ideas. I think I will go with a more skill-oriented resume than a history based one. I will have to figure out the best format, because I went from years and years of retail-based customer service to the medical field. I need to find a good balance to incorporate all those experiences because I really enjoyed the medical field and would like to continue in it. Too many years of retail management makes me hope that I don't have to go back to it, eventhough at this point I would be happy with anything I could get! lol

Blade · 07-08-2010, 07:00 PM

sabbatical
Tell them you took a sabbatical.

Dixie, my problem is they want to know why I want to leave such a "wonderful" company after 25 yrs. DUH!

Stearns · 07-08-2010, 07:03 PM

You know, this may be beside the point, but I didn't think employers were allowed to ask about a candidate's health issues, even as follow-up to disclosure from the applicant.

If you're not able to avoid the gap issue and you aren't comfortable "fudging", perhaps you could say you had a health issue that is now resolved and leave it at that?

Blade · 07-08-2010, 07:07 PM

That's what I thought too. We had to redo our applications several years back because the original ones from back in the 80's asked all sorts of medical questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stearns

You know, this may be beside the point, but I didn't think employers were allowed to ask about a candidate's health issues, even as follow-up to disclosure from the applicant.

If you're not able to avoid the gap issue and you aren't comfortable "fudging", perhaps you could say you had a health issue that is now resolved and leave it at that?

dixie · 07-08-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stearns

You know, this may be beside the point, but I didn't think employers were allowed to ask about a candidate's health issues, even as follow-up to disclosure from the applicant.

If you're not able to avoid the gap issue and you aren't comfortable "fudging", perhaps you could say you had a health issue that is now resolved and leave it at that?

Especially working in the medical field for my last job, it was a HIPPA violation to ask certain things about health, whether employee or client/patient. Unfortunately, I live in a very small rural town that still mostly operates under the "good ol' boy" system. Everyone knows everyone, so they think they have the right to know everything. Some are downright huffy and rude if they think they aren't "getting the low down" on all your information. (I tried saying it was a resolved health issue...they were like sharks after blood...lol) I miss living in the city... *sigh*

07-08-2010, 12:58 AM	#2
betenoire Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Satan in a Sunday Hat Preferred Pronoun?: Maow Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Chemical Valley Posts: 4,086 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,312 Thanked 8,739 Times in 2,565 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	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. __________________ bête noire \bet-NWAHR\, noun: One that is particularly disliked or that is to be avoided. Last edited by betenoire; 07-08-2010 at 12:59 AM. Reason: because i didn't make any sense. :)

07-08-2010, 10:44 AM	#4
chefhmboyrd Senior Member How Do You Identify?: man Preferred Pronoun?: beef Relationship Status: Uncle Daddy Snap Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: nashvegas Posts: 1,607 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,411 Thanked 2,846 Times in 898 Posts Rep Power: 14271905	lie lie lie they don't need to know the details like everone is saying "i was taking care of a family member" i am also and "honesty is the best policy" type of guy, but when it comes to business. lie like the dog you work for, i say __________________ what's a cowboy got to do to get a drink around here?

07-08-2010, 12:47 AM	#1
Gayla Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Kinky Butch Top Preferred Pronoun?: I'm not picky Relationship Status: She makes me dance like a fool and forget how to breathe. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SF CA Posts: 3,229 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 877 Thanked 7,077 Times in 1,966 Posts Rep Power: 0	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.

07-08-2010, 10:30 AM	#3
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Dixielady, I really don't know when the right time is to disclose a chronic health issue to an employer. I have fought the same battle. I have no idea. And it doesn't help to have no gov't backing. We are the ones who "fall thru the cracks" if you know what I mean. ox, Andrew

07-08-2010, 06:52 PM	#5
dixie Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: I usually just poke it with a stick. Preferred Pronoun?: Bitch Relationship Status: Intertwined deeply Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: We're all a little mad here. Posts: 6,627 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 10,972 Thanked 21,383 Times in 4,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Thanks so much everyone! I really appreciate the advice and the ideas. I think I will go with a more skill-oriented resume than a history based one. I will have to figure out the best format, because I went from years and years of retail-based customer service to the medical field. I need to find a good balance to incorporate all those experiences because I really enjoyed the medical field and would like to continue in it. Too many years of retail management makes me hope that I don't have to go back to it, eventhough at this point I would be happy with anything I could get! lol

07-08-2010, 07:00 PM	#6
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,415 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	sabbatical Tell them you took a sabbatical. Dixie, my problem is they want to know why I want to leave such a "wonderful" company after 25 yrs. DUH!

07-08-2010, 07:03 PM	#7
Stearns Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Man Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Husband Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 'nita land Posts: 272 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 385 Thanked 443 Times in 149 Posts Rep Power: 3640	You know, this may be beside the point, but I didn't think employers were allowed to ask about a candidate's health issues, even as follow-up to disclosure from the applicant. If you're not able to avoid the gap issue and you aren't comfortable "fudging", perhaps you could say you had a health issue that is now resolved and leave it at that?