• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Unemployed time in between jobs, does that look bad on a resume?

A

Arkitech

Diamond Member
I have a gap in my employment from 2/2009 to 5/2010. I was at my previous job for 10 years and I when I was outsourced I got a generous bonus. At the time my kids were 3 and 2, so I took about a year off to spend with my family. Of course I can't write that on my resume, so I'm not sure how to dress it up.


If it makes a difference I did a number of PC repairs during that time off. Not enough to equal a full time salary though.
 
Depends on the employer. Right now they're discriminating against people who are out of work so the answer is probably yes (in this economy).
 
Skip the month/date and only do year.

For example: 1999 - 2009 Paperpusher at ABC company.

2010 - present Paperpusher at XYZ company.
 
I havent been able to get work and I think its cuz I'm unemployed. They prefer to kidnap people already doing good work at another company, cuz those folks are employed for a reason.
 
Of course you can write that on your resume. Why wouldn't you? I think an employer would love to see someone who is a family type of a guy. It shows stability, work ethic, and dedication, IMO.
 
As long as you are not job searching while unemployed. That is the worst (my situation). The past is the past. As long as you are good in your current situation, then you should be good.
 
I think sometimes you can be too detailed on a resume. I have that problem. Focus only on relevant skills, education, and employment, but keep it just vague enough so nothing raises red flags. I may be a cynic but I truly believe most hiring managers will be looking for any excuse not to bring you on. Especially with so many applicants applying for one job these days. That's why it's best not to put all your cards on the table. Wow them in the letter.
 
Saint Nick said:
Of course you can write that on your resume. Why wouldn't you? I think an employer would love to see someone who is a family type of a guy. It shows stability, work ethic, and dedication, IMO.
Click to expand...

No, you do not want to let the employer know anything about your family/marital status until they employ you. Many reasons for this. Insurance, they time they think you will devote to them, your ability to travel. If you tell them off the bat, you will give them assumptions to make.
 
It can.

If the gap is current, go volunteer your services somewhere like a non profit, using your related skills and that can fill in the gap. Plus, the non profit will give you a glowing recommendation AND it shows you are a good person and volunteer at charities.
 
Gibson486 said:
No, you do not want to let the employer know anything about your family/marital status until they employ you. Many reasons for this. Insurance, they time they think you will devote to them, your ability to travel. If you tell them off the bat, you will give them assumptions to make.
Click to expand...
I guess I didn't know that, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
 
Saint Nick said:
I guess I didn't know that, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
Click to expand...

yeah, people make the mistake all the time. There is a reason why companies can't ask those questions during an interview, but people just give away that info anyways. So, next time a person ask, "What do you do on your free time?", you know what they are getting at.
 
So, for example, what if you were traveling for six months to a year and were unemployed? Would an employer care about that?
 
Yes, I had a year + 1/2 off between jobs in 2003-2004, because I wanted to relax (and had money saved up) and every job interview I've had since then I've been questioned about it. 🙁
 
Saint Nick said:
So, for example, what if you were traveling for six months to a year and were unemployed? Would an employer care about that?
Click to expand...

Possibly. You have to be very careful, particularly in a job market like this which is very competitive. I wouldn't chance it personally. I'd fill the gap somehow, either by omitting months in the date range of my jobs (as someone pointed out earlier) or something else.
 
brandonb said:
Yes, I had a year + 1/2 off between jobs in 2003-2004, because I wanted to relax (and had money saved up) and every job interview I've had since then I've been questioned about it. 🙁
Click to expand...

I had a job interview 10 or 11 years ago and the douchenozzle even asked me about a small gap I had during college (like 2 or 3 months) which was 10 years prior and before the "real" job I had already held for several years. It was ridiculous.
 
So what is the employer worried about? Why is a gap such a concern? I could think of multitudes of reasons for taking time off/being unemployed.
 
I had trouble for a couple months in getting a job in my field. I felt antsy about unemployment and decided to temp. Did that for a year while looking for a career job. I actually made decent money while temping. Just, no benefits.
 
Last edited:
IndyColtsFan said:
I had a job interview 10 or 11 years ago and the douchenozzle even asked me about a small gap I had during college (like 2 or 3 months) which was 10 years prior and before the "real" job I had already held for several years. It was ridiculous.
Click to expand...

wow

it's like some employers don't want you to have a life outside of working
 
Saint Nick said:
So what is the employer worried about? Why is a gap such a concern? I could think of multitudes of reasons for taking time off/being unemployed.
Click to expand...

if you're in the tech world, it can mean a big deal since tech moves so fast.
even a couple of months off, your skills get rusty.

put it this way, who would you rather consider bringing in for an interview based on a resume only?
a guy who's had a year gap for undisclosed reason, or someone who's continually employed and active in his field?
 
Arkitech said:
wow

it's like some employers don't want you to have a life outside of working
Click to expand...

This guy was an HR guy and you could almost tell he was reading a script from "HR Interviews for Dummies" or something. I mean seriously -- asking me about a 2 month gap while I was a college kid nearly a decade before that? It wasn't so much that he asked about it but he KEPT asking about it.
 
Arkitech said:
wow

it's like some employers don't want you to have a life outside of working
Click to expand...
<petty dicks in management>

- If you're single, and don't have relatives nearby, you won't be wasting time on minor things like spending time with family, giving you more time to devote to the company.
- I'd imagine that the company incurs additional medical insurance expenses if you've got other people on your insurance - people who aren't contributing to the company's bottom line.
- If you want to do things outside of work, you won't be as willing to put in extra hours.

</petty dicks in management>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top