How do I explain my jaded employment history?

Question

I have a 4 year solid gap in my employment history. I was drunk, and in and out of recovery. I am completely sober now, and have been for 2 1/2 years. While I was in and out of halfway houses and treatment, I worked a job for a day, another one for a few months, a few others. How do I explain this in my resume or at an interview. Everytime I fill out an application I feel I am going to confession. I made a mistake, but before it got really bad, I had good jobs. I have always been promoted to a lead position, and have worked in customer service for about 15 years. I have some college courses completed, but no degree. I need a job bad, and most jobs without a degree, I am overqualified for, I am 36 now, and I really need help. I need a job badly. Also, as luck would have it- two companies I worked for (a combination of 10 years of my life) will not verify my employment unless the place I apply to pays a 'fee' to a third party for information. Who would do that? I wouldn't.

Answer 1

You do need to be up front and tell them why their is a gap, as lies will always catch you out (especially if it is covering 4 years).

Tell them enough so they know that your alcoholism was a natural reaction to the stress you were under, but don't tell so much that it sounds like a sob story and you are trying to get sympathy.

Make it clear that those times are behind you, and how much you want to get back to a regular life and regular job. Emphasise all your years of good work and offer to pay the fee to get your information.

Finally another good tip for when you have to deliver bad news is to sandwich it between good news. So begin by relating all of your good experience, describe the few years where you had problems in a matter of fact way, as well as your full recovery and then state your enthusiasm for the role, why you think your experience makes you right for the role and your appreciation for the opportunity and how much it means to you.

There is a job out there for you, don't let things get you down and if you don't get the job, dust yourself off and try again. I think you will again become the hard worker that you naturally are and someone will give you a chance. Good luck.

Answer 2

Make a resume that focuses more on your skills and strengths than a through job history. Many companies accept a resume in place of an application.

If you are required to have a job history do not list the jobs that lasted less than a month. And when asked about the gap in the history simply state that you took a personal hiatus from the work force; and that now you decided to come back because you are ready to give it your all.

Also the 3rd party system of employment checks I have come across several times. You can try to contact someone that you used to work with and get them to write a general recommendation letter. Other than just list the places. There is no need to volunteer that information, but answer truthfully if asked.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 3

First, don't worry about the employment verification thing - that's not that uncommon, and will only come up when a company is basically ready to make you an offer. Many companies do that kind of thing now.

So, I would suggest leaving those dates out of the "employment" section - no one would list a job they only had for one day, right?

Then - put "Family commitments" under the dates. Don't go into any of this in your resume. I don't have solid suggestions to handle the interview - if I think of something, I'll post it - but the resume is supposed to get you TO the interview.

You might also take a look at "Functional" resume styles. They de-emphasize the dates (but, recruiters know that, so it's a mixed bag.) Check out the big job boards - Monster, HotJobs, CareerBuilder - for templates & suggestions on the layout.

Answer 4

First, congrats on getting your life back on track. That's a major accomplishment that you should be proud of. In regards to your resume, leave the gap and explain it in person. At least than you have your foot in the door and you have the opportunity to show them that you are back on track. There are people everyday who experience huge gaps in their employment history, the best thing you can do is be honest about it and address it up front. Most people are going to understand and if you have what they are looking for give you a shot.

I don't understand the part about the companies not verifying your employment unless you pay a fee to a third party. Most employers will verify references but from the employer not a third party services.

If you can't get your previous employers to verify your employment, can you get refrences from someone who worked with you at these companies? What about other personal references of solid business people, your pastor or clergy person, etc?

Just be honest. Nothing will get you disqualified faster than being caught in a lie, major integrity issue there.

Answer 5

You'll hear both but I can understand the problem you face. Here is what I would do.

Don't LIE about the time, but DO put down that you were unemployed. When asked, you can say that you "...took time off to find yourself" or perhaps if you feel like fudging a bit more, say you "Took time off to help a friend start a business which never got off the ground." (Where is the friend? Lost track of him after you left his employ....) The only problem with this is that you need to keep up the lie anytime you speak of that period of your life. The "finding myself" line fits in quite well with the 'out of work' aspect of the time frame.

Don't let the interview dwell on that aspect. Explain that you finally found a place of peace in your life where you feel you can be of great service to any company in the field desired. Ask questions which show you to be competent in the field, interested in the job (and in the company) and (above all) NOT DESPERATE. Put forward the front which says "It's rare that someone can both 'take time off' to "find themselves" and rarer still be able to come back with a solid work ethic and the drive to be useful in the industry.:" If you word this right and keep your eye contact this can be a plus in your corner and not a negative on your resume.

Again, I'm not advocating you LIE, but to put a fresh polish on an old tarnish in your work history.

Answer 6

I went thru this when i got divorced and went into a serious depression. I was on Social Security disability for 3 years. I just kept looking and explained I needed some personal time. I went to every interview looking my absolute best, clothes nails, shoes shined. I finally got a job and even though it wasn't anywhere near what I wanted I took it and stayed for a year. Then when I went job hunting for what I wanted I jus explained that the job was not what I was looking for. I am a RN so its not uncommon to change fields.

Answer 7

Be honest. I had time out for a mental health issue and I have been up front about it. I would never want to work for someone that didn't respect an illness and you don't have to give any details that you are not comfortable with.

Answer 8

Be Honest.
Its damn scary to admit to it, but when (potential) employers realize you took the steps you needed to, to change your life, and get back on track, most (sadly.. not all .. but hey..) will value that over someone bluffing past a gap they can't or won't explain.
You being honest lets them see you have the potential to improve yourself, and most employers see improvement of the employees as potential improvement of their business.
This they like !

Answer 9

Just tell them straight up what you did. They legally cant refuse you just because you had some problems, and know you have it all sorted out good for you. I hope that you get the job you need

Answer 10

if you want to work odd jobs thru temp services
you will have to explain your job history sooner or later
some places don't care or they check later
and would fire you for not telling.
many places do pay to look up information on people
before they hire them and some do it after or before
promotions.

You can't run from your past but you can work
past it slowly.

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