Six years on disability and ready to work

Brenda F. on August 11, 2011

Interviewing

I got the all-clear to return to work after fighting two battles with cancer and the side effects that further disabled me.  I feel very lucky to get a chance to work again, but I am concerned about explaining to a prospective employer about my six years absence from work.  How do I explain that to a potential employer? How do I enhance my  resume so the gap is not so obvious?  I really don't want to explain in detail my illness, but I am sure I have to explain the gap of six years of not working.  


1 Comment

Image of Julie Jansen

Julie Jansen

Aug 16, 2011

Career Coach Comment:

Hi Brenda,

First, congratulations on getting the all clear to go back to work. As for explaining your long gap, you can handle it in a few ways. Just be direct and say that you were out for personal reasons and are able and excited about going back to work. If the interviewer presses you to explain, then you can say that you had health issues and are now free and clear of those issues now. You can also choose to put volunteer work on your resume to close in the time gap, if you indeed have anything to put down.



The important thing is to feel very comfortable with whatever you decide to say, internalize it as much as possible and keep it short and sweet! Good luck with your job search and your new chapter in life!

Take care,


Julie

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