Job Applications

Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

Ok chaps, looking for opinions/advice/experience really.

On my CV, I have an 'employment gap' of a few years. Is it best to mention this in a covering letter when applying, or just ignore it until asked? My CV is up to date, but rarely receive further correspondence, so trying to figure out if it's because it's a tough market, or if it's because I dont explain this gap. I'm not applying for £100k salary jobs or anything ridiculous, they are usually roles I have done before, or similar to previous roles, and so I have the required skillset.

Any advice appreciated.

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

What was the gap for?

If it was something interesting and a good conversation starter, or something relevant to the job, then mention it.

If it was 2 years of furiously masturbating to midget porn, I would leave it off.
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Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

It's nothing as exotic as the midget porn, nor is it time spent in Her Majesty's boarding house Laughing

Truth be told, it was a mixture of things, started off as work related injury (agency employment at the time), then went into a bit of a spiral with family issues, and then time as an unofficial carer.

BrownTrousers · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Karma :

I think this may well be a problem for employers.

I would try to explain it if there is some reasonable reason. Perhaps emphasise other accomplishments during that time, if you did any training, volunteering etc.

Good luck with the job hunting.

Edit now I see what the gap was; definitely worth mentioning to show that it wasn't 'your fault' (injury) and you did worthwhile things (caring) so people don't jump to the obvious midget porn conclusion.
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fatpies · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Karma :

Its a tough job market therefore employers can be choosy.

TBH when applying for education jobs I have to go all the way back to secondary school for 'security requirements' apparently.

Even though the school I went to has long shut and my college I went to has long since been absorbed into another as well.
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Northern Monkey · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Nov 2013 Karma :

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

As above, they will notice the absence and the will want to know why. Carer will fill the gap.
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Quornholio · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2011 Karma :

Thanks for the advice. So should I not mention the workplace injury? Didn't sue the employer like, but it was a manual handling injury. Fine and dandy now though. Thumbs Up

totalllama82 · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Jan 2011 Karma :

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Granny died and left you some money. You went back packing. You taught english in village schools, laboured, got drunk and chased to local girls. How adventurous you were. Wouldn't the boring old fuck hiring you be envious of those qualities?

I did some actual travelling and they always ask about it to find out about the real me, rather than what the job history says.