What is the best way to account for a two year gap of unemployment?

by Dustin
(Lake Charles, LA USA)

Long story short, I had a job that I once worked for for 2 years. It is currently on my resume, however... I made a huge mistake while employed with this job and can never even use them as a reference ever again.

Meaning I now have a two year gap on my resume, when I know continuity is so important. How can I account for this?

Fabricating false jobs is out of the question for me.

ANSWER: Well, obviously you wouldn't fabricate an imaginary job. That's the way of disaster, as your lie would certainly be found out, when they go to verify employment.

A two year gap in employment is going to raise questions, though maybe not as much today as it would have a couple years ago, given the abysmal job market now. But if you don't feel as though you can include your other job, then you're certainly going to have to give some explanation of your time.

I don't generally advise people to be dishonest, so my first inclination is to advise you just to say something vague (if asked) like "I didn't have any relevant job experience during that time..." But that could lead to more questions that might make you feel as though you need to spin more specific mistruths. I suppose you could say that you took time off to figure out the best career path for yourself or to care for a loved one or something along those lines.

Whatever you say, the 2-year gap is going to count against you, at least to some extent. That's just the reality of your situation. Are you absolutely sure you can't include that other job? And just let the chips fall where they may?