Proof of activity in a 6 month employment gap

[toodaloo]

Hi, I have got an interview with a bank next week, cashier role. On the telephone interview they said that with all gaps over 6 months over the last 5 years need to be explained and proof of what I was doing needs to be provided.

Nearly 3 years ago I quit my job at the time, I was very stressed and it wasn't a good time. I didn't sign on because I didn't think I'd get any thing and we could manage. I started my present job 6 months and 3 weeks later. They said I could provide evidence such as emails to companies, job applications/rejection letter. I haven't got any of this now. I said at the telephone interview I could provide proof so they wouldn't reject me but I can't!

So, any ideas as to what I can provide or say? I don't want to have to turn down the interview but they won't employ me without it proof. I have been working for 15+ years, good employee etc... and this is my only gap.

Any ideas? I so wished I'd signed on now! Thanks

Can you not call it a sabbatical and say you took the time to refocus on what was important in life, work, family etc. But that you felt it was important to return to work in the long run and therefore started your current job.
Loads of professionals take career breaks or sabbaticals and justify them by making up some bollocks about study/writing a book/finding themselves coming up with a worthy reason for taking a break.
Try to think of positive things you did in that time rather than make excuses for why you don't have anything concrete.

What they are checking for is that you haven't been abroad doing something illegal and that you haven't been in prison here. They will also want to know that you weren't working and sacked for theft or similar but hiding it. That's the purpose of the checks.

If you have children say you decided to spend some time with them as a career break. If necessary you could show your bank statements that would show you were not being paid during the period. You can also show your council tax bill to show you were resident.

You will have to complete a declaration any way to say you've never been made bankrupt or disciplined for theft or whatever prior to starting but after an offer. If they ask for any of this stuff prior to job offer that would be a bit strange. If they ask for it after offer you can play your SAHM card and have a bit of indirect sex discrimination protection.

In the event that you are dealing with someone with no imagination who cannot understand that somebody might not be working, then point out that you were not working, that you took some time out and if there are any problems with that can they check with HR what the process would be for mothers who took time out to look after their children.

Hi. Thanks for your replies. I don't have any children yet (TTC for a looong time, but that is for a different thread:) )

I think I'll have to say sabbatical but they still want to see concrete proof! Bank statements showing I wasn't paid for anything might be an idea.... I'll have to be creative ie make something up

Thanks again.

In that case you should still stick to the truth and ask what sort of proof they're after.

Any employer who refuses to take you on because you can't produce evidence you weren't working when you were not working is not going to be worth working for. Particularly when it is a matter of 3 weeks.

Hi, they said on the phone they would want to see copies of emails or letters from employers as proof of job hunting which I didn't keep! Ah well, it'll be good as interview practice anyway.

I have a vague memory of someone else being in this situation and the reason they ask is to check for money-laundering or illegal activity.

Will be interesting to see what they require and accept.

Interesting post and replies. I have a couple of gaps of a few months on my CV from a time when I had enough cash in the bank (100% legally obtained) not to need to continue with jobs I wasn't enjoying so didn't. Possibly not the best life or career move it turns out in retrospect and it was questionned when I got my current job. I wasn't actively looking for work or signing on so don't have any evidence I wasn't doing something shifty and one of the companies I left before not working is no longer in existence so no proof I wasn't sacked either. Luckiy I tend to agree with the poster who said that any employer who lacked the imagination to see that there can be more to life than work, isn't someone I would want to work for.

Katie ET al are correct, it is to check how you financed your time without a job and normal in banking (even if not directly working with cash)

Bank statements and honesty are they only way iirc

Thanks all for your replies. I was totally honest with them on the phone so I think all I can do is provide copies of bank statements to show I didn't receive an income during that time as I don't have anything else to show them!

I will let you all know what they say and how I get on.