Posted by mila on June 2, 2001, at 0:13:29
In reply to How do you explain gaps in work history?, posted by Jane D on June 1, 2001, at 20:24:44
> Any suggestions on approaches that work, or even just really bad ones to avoid, would be very much appreciated.
>
Hi Jane,Avoid seeing those periods as breakdowns yourself. there MUST have been something positive in those periods. Once you find it out, you won't feel like you had gaps in your life anymore. Also, see your employers as being interested in your job skills and attitudes, not on your health history which is none of their business (in my opinion). Do not give them that much power over you. being too intimate during the first interview stinks anyway even if it is about your wonderful health, not illnesses. Keep it about job. If anything, tell them about your wonderful resilience and ability to keep going even when it gets tough, gather resourses, rely on other people's help and skills, etc. (isn't it how you conquered your illness?) this is an asset.
I totally understand how you feel. I felt this way myself several years ago. Today it doesn't matter anymore. I do not expect people ask me about gaps and I do not see them myself, so I simply fail to represent them in my resume: every year seems today to have been choke full with activity and some productive behavior.
best
mila
poster:mila
thread:6253
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010526/msgs/6258.html