Returning to work after illness... How?

[Brad]

The only reason I included it on the CV for this job is due to the fact I haven't worked since November last year and a big gap with no explanation either indicates I couldn't find a job, or I am a lazy sod, neither of which applies.

[Gavin Scott]

You could say you went to work on a kibbutz, or took a sabbatical. Did some world travel after receiving an inhertance? The list is endless when one's mind is as devious as mine.

The correct form of CV will start with your personal skills, so focus on making them impressive reading, and be ready to talk about examples.

Very often, interview agendas are led by the interviewee. Remember, the person interviewing you may be quite nervous too, so look them in the eye and smile and ask lots of questions about the job. Nodding and saying, "absolutely" (where appropriate) tends to go quite a long way too. It's a useful way of reinforcing that you are capable of understand fully and quickly, and has an effect of psychologically 'ticking boxes' in the interviewer's head.

More than that all I can say is good luck. Go get 'em tiger.

[Brad]

Bringing this back up to the top!

Well, as you may know I have had my operation and now it's time to start applying for jobs. I have 7 application forms here from last weeks local paper alone!
Now, it does ask on the form for the job I want the most if you have had more than 10 days illness in the last two years resulting in time off! LOL! How about having half of two years off! It shouldn't pry, but it does ask for more information. Now, I see what Gavin was saying but feel personally that I will have to explain the gap with the truth. I'm just terrified of putting the wrong thing down. I am 90-95% back on my feet again and want to come off these damn benefits. The job itself is to work in a library as a collections archivist or something like that and I have a degree in library and information studies, albeit a bit old now (graduated 1999). That aside I just don't want them to trip me up with questioning if I got an interview. And an odd point, but two of the jobs are for the NHS... might this be an advantage?

[James Martin]

Student radio is taken very seriously by the industry now...

You just can't resist, can you James.

I can't imagine who told you that, unless it was your own over-inflated ego; but they were lying.

Something like 35% of people who work for Radio 1 now started in Student Radio so I wouldn't agree with you Steve.

[Gavin Scott]

Bringing this back up to the top!

Well, as you may know I have had my operation and now it's time to start applying for jobs. I have 7 application forms here from last weeks local paper alone!
Now, it does ask on the form for the job I want the most if you have had more than 10 days illness in the last two years resulting in time off! LOL! How about having half of two years off! It shouldn't pry, but it does ask for more information. Now, I see what Gavin was saying but feel personally that I will have to explain the gap with the truth. I'm just terrified of putting the wrong thing down. I am 90-95% back on my feet again and want to come off these damn benefits. The job itself is to work in a library as a collections archivist or something like that and I have a degree in library and information studies, albeit a bit old now (graduated 1999). That aside I just don't want them to trip me up with questioning if I got an interview. And an odd point, but two of the jobs are for the NHS... might this be an advantage?

Well, I totally respect your decision to disclose, and you really have to do what your instincts tell you.

My mate has a degree in library studies from Cardiff Uni, and has had several rather good (an surprisingly interesting) jobs as a result. One for a business newspaper, one for a bank - and has recently beem informally approached by the Scottish Parliament.

Let us know how you get on.

[SteveL]

Student radio is taken very seriously by the industry now...

You just can't resist, can you James.

I can't imagine who told you that, unless it was your own over-inflated ego; but they were lying.

Something like 35% of people who work for Radio 1 now started in Student Radio so I wouldn't agree with you Steve.

Which is what, four people? Five perhaps?

And can you count how many thousands of people work in student radio at the moment? Who are many, many times better than you?

[Gavin Scott]

Lets not divert Brad's thread into an attack on James Martin (DJ).

A dedicated thread, surely?

Just kidding, James.

[Brad]

Last night I got some "advice" from a friend of mine I have known for five years. She, a recruitment consultant herself, although not in my area, said I should just leave the fact I haven't worked since November 2003 at that and only elaborate on it when questioned in interview! What rubbish! How am I supposed to get an interview if I don't mention why there is a gap in employment? "I know what I'm talking about, I've been in the recruitment game ten years..." etc etc... Well, sorry, but this on this one, I think she's wrong.

[Gavin Scott]

Last night I got some "advice" from a friend of mine I have known for five years. She, a recruitment consultant herself, although not in my area, said I should just leave the fact I haven't worked since November 2003 at that and only elaborate on it when questioned in interview! What rubbish!

Forgive me, but I think you're being a little unfair to your friend.

She's right about one thing. When people are recruiting, their first priority is to check your suitability to them - based on your skills set, and how you come across on your CV and cover letter.

You ask, "How am I supposed to get an interview if I don't mention why there is a gap in employment?"

You get the interview because they need to fill a position, and your CV has persuaded them you are articulate, able and available. Your CV is not there to tell the detail of your life, but you can do that yourself at the interview.

I appreciate you want to do it your way; but I wouldn't be so ready to dismiss 10 years of a consultants professional experience.

I suppose you'll just have to suck it and see. To coin a phrase.

[Brad]

OK, I've compromised! I have added a two lines at the top of the CV explaining the gap and that I have fully recovered! The gap does need explaining I feel so I have done so with as little fuss as possible! I have spoken to other people from agencies and they were saying exactly the reverse of what my friend was saying so I don't know who to believe but a brief mention just explaning the gap should do it, I hope.