Ready to return to workforce . How do I explain 4 year gap in CV

[Glitterball23]

Hi everyone

I stopped working in March 2020 .

I was completely burned out . I also struggled with my mental health and was eventually diagnosed with CPTSD.

I focussed on getting treatment for this . I was in and out of hospital for the last 4 years . I also attended different outpatient programs to address my mental health issues .

I also had physical health issues and had treatment for this , multiple operations etc

My question is what do I tell prospective employers to explain the 4 year gap . What do I put in my CV to explain the gap

I’m ready to start working again but am worried about explaining the 4 year gap

OP I know quite a lot of people suffered from Covid-relates issues between 2020 -2022 which will work in your favour. Career break : medical issues, now fully recovered should suffice.

Putting 'career break' with no explanation lets people assume things like you know, criminal activity.

Oh god yeah don't just put career break. They will assume you have been in prison.

Just say career break.

Don't make up stories

March 2020 - you took the opportunity of the lockdown to have a career break and you are now ready to return to work.

They will assume you were baking banana bread and painting your garden fence.

Pandemic issues.

Your health.

How did you support yourself financially? When I got divorced I had two years off work and explained the gap as " I suddenly had the money to do what I wanted to do, and discovered that wasn't working. I used the time to grow mentally strong, travel and learn new skills." ( I went to Spain for two weeks and did my driving test). This is harder if you wre claiming benefits as it will show in your P45 6 or 60

I think what you’re planning to put is absolutely fine. You don’t need to disclose the nature of the illness, stating that you are now recovered is important. Unfortunately I would not diagnose the nature of the illness, because people are shit.

Also, certain sectors are much better than others at overlooking gaps. Civil service and higher education both worth a look.

Did you get a job from that? Honestly that would seem so much more flakey to me than simply saying you’d been ill!

I don't really understand why you wouldn't be honest? If you get the job any lie will work it's way out anyway. If you see yourself as an asset to them, think about them being lucky to have you not the other way round. Good luck!

You'd be amazed what comes out in the wash. A new member of staff that knows you, a careless comment - it happens more frequently than you'd think.

Can you evidence the statement that most employers won't employ someone with mental health problems so severe that they could not work (past tense). A link to the proof will be fine. Because we would, and so do many employers that I know. Some of the world is bigoted and discriminatory. I know that. I'm disabled. But I'm not aware of the evidence supporting your statement. The problem is that as long as people keep saying and thinking like this, it becomes a self-fulfilling fact.

Love it. I'd never remember a lie either.

Is that date correct - March 2020? In which case I would agree the wording, or something like it. The date will have half or more people thinking you had long covid... it's one that elicits sympathy, and as long as you don't lie about it, what they think is irrelevant.

If you can include something positive like volunteering, charity work, even a hobby or two you learned, all the better. Bear in mind that some employers don't use CVs - we don't accept them. It's about skills on offer and experience.

Is also worth seeing if MIND or another such charity has any employment advisors or projects around. They often have links with sympathetic employers. The other place to try, if simply bring back into employment is the aim is the Jobcentre. I know they get a lot of flack, usually deserved. But there are some good programmes available for people who've had health problems of they are motivated to work. The problem with many of the programmes are that people are coerced on to them. But if you want to work, it may be right up your street.

One other idea. Check out apprenticeships. They aren't for "kids" any more. We have loads of adults coming into our workforce this way - it can be a foot in the door especially in the public sector. For example we pay the living wage (the real one, not the government one) for 1 -2 years, training, support - and as an internal candidate, first crack at permanent jobs.

https://www.seemescotland.org/workplace/employers/understanding-discrimination-at-work/facts-on-stigma-and-discrimination

And I have lied and never been found out.

Ask Put it in ChatGpt and ask for options of wording. I did that for something similar and there were some great options.

This is good.

I agree it is very likely sector-dependent. It would not be a problem in my sector. It wouldn't affect shortlisting and from there, it would be how you would perform at interview, genuinely.

Overall, being honest, without disclosing too much, is a good approach, I find.

OP the NHS and others are currently employing loots of mental health peer support workers. The criteria includes that you must have yourself had mental health problems. It is not well paid, but might be a possibility for you.

not really your cv but check out the career returners website. there's loads of opportunities / schemes for people who have been out a few years. almost wish I had so I could be eligible.

I got a career! more than twice my previous salary and moved from people management to sales. I crushed it till COVID closed down my industry ( selling event space) and moved into training which I still do now., in the accountancy space.

That isn't evidence of your claim. It's evidence that people with mental health histories THINK that. There's undoubtedly truth to it. But equally if you think that, it becomes a self- fulfilling prophecy - every time you don't get a job Behar you don't have the skills, or someone else was better, blame the bigotry. Yes the bigotry exists. But people with no health histories or disabilities also don't get jobs. What's their excuse?

And good for you for lying and never being found out. Other people are.

Sorry you went through that but don’t be honest. Use one of the other white lies above and stick to it

Lies are lies and get people dismissed if found out. They don't come in colours...

@Neriah yeah I would never have worked if I was honest

OP I would at least leave out the mental health issues because too many employers still discriminate if you are open about this. It is illegal but they still will be reluctant to hire you.

If you want to be honest I would simply write that you took time off to deal with a health issues that have now been resolved after operations and recovery time.

Give it a try and see how you are getting on with interviews and job offer but the reality is that if you don't get anywhere you might have to be 'creative' with why you take the time off.

You need a job and unfortunately too many dinosaur employers will reject anyone who has had health issues...

You had physical health issues as well? Multiple operations?

I imagine that was very stressful during covid and entirely understandable that it affected your mental health and you took an extended career break to recuperate and get your fitness back up.

It's your call, but if you're likely to have a pre-employment health check, I'd be honest and frame it in a positive way. If you are realistic in your capabilities now, and can demonstrate how you manage your health conditions well, it's more likely that any offers you get will be from places that will likely be supportive if you have a dip again in the future.

I would be honest. I employed two people in the last two years who didn’t tell the truth about their MH long term problems. Both ended up quitting really quickly. If I’d known their health issues I would have been able to manage them better (neither of them were well enough to be in full time work, and the stress of starting a new job was a too much for both of them). They didn’t tell me - which is their right - but I believe it was a mistake to withhold the information.

Start with a job well within your capabilities. Once you are sure you can hold down the job, then you’ll have something good on your CV again.

You also should think about references - you may need a personal reference after such a long break from employment