gaps in CV

[Anonymous]

I'm 24, at uni doing an BA majoring in economics but i haven't worked for a couple of years. I'm really worried about my non work history affecting my chances of finding work when i finish. I'll be 26, way behind most people already.

I can hardly go into an interview and explain years of inactivity with SP. Should i just fudge my work history, or say i've been on a holiday to europe?

 

[Anonymous]

They usually ask questions about the jobs you put down on your CV. If your CV doesn't have any jobs, you can just say your were studying. If they go.. and what about between the ages of 18 and 21 or something (as if they would ask that) you can say anything: travel, taking time off or whatever, or just tell them it's none of their business - but 99% chance that they wont ask.

 

[Flax]

THe first job I applied for at the age of 20 I was asked why I hadn't had a job before then. I was nervous and actually told the guy I had anxiety problems and said that the interview I was doing was an example of something that would create great anxiety. He hired me, but probably only because the job didn't require much intelligence. I quit two days later because I felt like a machine (the job was data entry). I also quit because everyone looked at me with cold emotionless expressions. No one smiled at me or welcomed me. That job has quite possibly permanently destroyed my desire to ever apply for an office job again.

 

[Anonymous]

Flax: That's because you had a job doing data entry. It's a factory that looks like an office. Everyone looks at you bleary-eyed because they're numbed and half-hypnotized and bored to tears. Not all office jobs are like that, but data entry is a drag.

 

[Yossarian]

My CV reads:

Left school
Failed various attempts at higher education.
Hid.

 

[richkid]

I affraid you may fall into the catch 22 graduate syndrome. I made the name up but the majority, including myself end up in a catch 22 situation and probs no job regardless how severe your SP is. DOn't let the SP be a reason not to get a job you want, however communication skills are important. I would strongly advice you to get some solid experience in what ever you want to do wether it be paid or just work experience. Expereince is the all important factor, not only will this help you job wise ,as it is more appeal, you will be able to improve on other skills you feel you may like, like organisation stuff like that.

 

[JWH]

Richkid, some good advice there. I plan to ask around for a bit of work experience if ever I get the courage. My resume is so empty I'm afraid they'll just laugh at me.

 

[LilMissTragic]

My CV looks pretty impressive, what with all the courses I did (home study, dont ya just love it) but when it comes to the bit about experience its totally blank. It makes me look as though I am too lazy to work/

 

[loucat]

just tell them you've been studying. You're young so if you need on the job training or experience most employers would give it to you as opposed to someone 10 or 20 years older

 

[Waybuloo]

THe first job I applied for at the age of 20 I was asked why I hadn't had a job before then. I was nervous and actually told the guy I had anxiety problems and said that the interview I was doing was an example of something that would create great anxiety. He hired me, but probably only because the job didn't require much intelligence. I quit two days later because I felt like a machine (the job was data entry). I also quit because everyone looked at me with cold emotionless expressions. No one smiled at me or welcomed me. That job has quite possibly permanently destroyed my desire to ever apply for an office job again.

I'm doing volunteer data entry sad i know. About explaining the gap, maybe say you had to look after old family member so dont have so much time. Or that you had extra curricular stuff to do at school/uni.

My experience section isnt exactly empty i got two retail adn two volunteer office thingies. What worries me is getting past the interview, what with my non existent personality who would want a robot..maybe a data entry position again but i would rather work in teh garbage industry.

 

[nerdgirl178]

Hey don't let SA get in the way of accomplishing your goals, you have to push yourself. I know its easy to say however I am almost 25 and believe me it took me some years push myself in the real world, I am doing an internship right now in an Art gallery. I even dropped classes in the past because they required presentations and lots of discussion and I was toooo scared to even attend class so it took me forever to graduate college. I have had gaps in my CV too, they hardly ask but one did ask me and I was travelling.

 

[Predacon]

Yeah I'm always wondering how to explain the large gaps in my CV. My problem is most of the jobs I have had are only temporary because they're usually the only ones I can get, Which only last a few days or weeks and they're always asking me how come I've never had a real long term job because they think I'm going to skip out on them after a few days.