returning to the work force

**bestgiftman** · 03-23-2007, 03:43 PM

its tough!!!!

Its so hard to find a job. And when they see that youve taken a couple of years off, its even harder!!!

Have any of you had this problem? Do you think its wrong to lie on your resume a little to aviod the gap?

**wanderlusting** · 03-23-2007, 03:48 PM

Depends on the type of job. If it's a job in securities, banks, children-anything that would require a background check I wouldn't. Did you do any volunteer things while you were off of work? You could add that in. Some bigger companies have people whose only job is to verify resume information. Good luck in your job search!

**bevjean** · 03-23-2007, 04:17 PM

I'm gonna be in the same boat. I haven't worked in about 5ish years and now have to get a job in May. I am scared to death.

**Michelle** · 03-23-2007, 05:10 PM

I have this problem too, except I've been out of the workforce for 8 yrs. It's been impossible to even get an interview. I'm still plugging away hoping something will work out.

I wouldn't lie on your resume though.

**mnmarty03** · 03-23-2007, 05:45 PM

Don't lie on your resume - if an employer were to see that, they would not hire you (at least I wouldn't), which may stop you from getting a job you otherwise could have gotten.

What type of work are you looking for? I realize it's not glamorous, but what about taking cashier work or some other similar "unskilled" job? It would be a good start and I would imagine they don't care so much about what you did in the last years.

**Edna_E** · 03-23-2007, 05:54 PM

I think it's a bad idea to EVER lie on your resume. For one thing, I'm pretty anti-dishonesty to start with. For another, it is grounds for immediate firing in all 50 states and makes you ineligible for unemployment if you are fired. I might put something in as if it were a job (meaning using the same format) saying something like "producing and raising 3 small children up to school age" or whatever fit the situation. You don't have to just leave the gap as an obvious gap, nor apologize for it, but most potential employers will want an explanation, so you might as well put it out there first.

I have a couple of years which say "Various short-term and part-time postions not geared toward career plans" and have had a few people ask for more detail. My response is "Mostly sales, things to make an income while I looked for the next career-related opportunity" And have had good response from that.

Good luck to all of you. I expected to be in that boat about a year ago, and got lucky. VERY lucky! Hope the same is true for you.

**favesis37** · 03-25-2007, 09:21 AM

i took 5 years off to keep my grandbabies and i just explained that to my new employer. they were fine with it. good luck

**tigo** · 03-26-2007, 09:06 AM

I am upfront about the gaps in my employment. I treat it like another job entry - "This date to this date- homeschooled children" and "this date to this date - stay at home mother" . That pretty much lets them know what I was doing. Never has been an issue. The homeschool thing has been an icebreaker at times as I have found more and more people are doing it or wish they could.

**RJsGrl** · 03-27-2007, 10:36 PM

I will be starting my first full time job since 6 years ago soon & I am SO frazzled! Where am I going to put the kids? How am I going to pay for the extra gas? When will my hubby and I ever get alone time??? AHHHH! lol, but, it's what needs to be done... Good Luck!

Oh yeah, and not a good idea to lie on the job record ;-)