How do I explain 3 year gap in employment before my first job

by Anonymous
(Somewhere)

It's hard finding that first job with no job experience so I have a 3 year gap between high school and my first job how would I explain this on an application or in an interview?

How Do I Explain a Work Gap in My Resume?

by Buena

How will I explain that I was unemployed due to "no job vacancies"?

How Do I Account for an Employment Gap Due to the Poor Job Market?

I was downsized 7 months ago from a biotech company with 20 years of background in a specific industry. Since the economy has changed, demand for my background has become very limited. I have spent the last 7 months looking for a new position with little to show for the effort.

The question is, how do I present that on a resume? I never dreamed that it would become so difficult finding a new position.

Is 20 months of unemployement going to hurt me?

by Mark
(Warsaw)

I am a 51 year old Construction Manager that was let go 20 months ago and I have not been able to get back to work. I thought part of it is I did not finish college, so I went back to school; I just feel that 20 months is a long time. Do you think this a major issue and if so how can I overcome this?



ANSWER: A few years ago, I might have answered this question differently. But in today's economy, long employment gaps like yours aren't all that unusual. There just are not enough jobs to go around any more. I would be as honest as you can in your cover letter and when going on interviews. And DO emphasize that you took the initiative to go back to school for your degree. That will definitely set you apart from many other job candidates.