Are employers less excited about interviewing an applicant who has been unemployed for close to 2 years even when qualifications, education and experience are top notch?

Now that I'm ready to go back to work, there are listings of jobs online but it's not easy being that I haven't worked over 2 years.

If YOU took some time off from work to care for a sick relative, you are not alone!

About 1 in 4 Americans (23%) say there has been a time when they took leave from work to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Here are some ways to tackle how to get back to the workplace after your time away:

1- Update your resume Acknowledge the [gap in your resume] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/46cb1229-eedd-5a42-831d-5d5d3429387c), but don’t dwell on it too much. Most recruiters and hiring managers will be able to relate in some way. You don’t have to hide the gap, but at the same time, you don’t want to broadcast them either. You can put this on your resume for example:

Leave of absence 8/2010-9/2011 Full-time caregiving during family member’s illness.

2- Interview in the NOW Even though it may be difficult during the interview, address the time away briefly and without too much emotion. You could say something like, “The reason for my leave of absence was that my [family member] became gravely ill, and needed a full-time caregiver. It made the most sense for me to be the one to take time away from work to face that challenge. However, I am now ready to return to work. I believe my qualifications and past work history make me a good fit for this position.” Avoid discussing it beyond that unless you are asked follow-up questions. Make this time about you and the job you are applying for and not about the past.

3-Share what you’ve learned Perhaps you developed some skills during this time away that you didn't even realize. For example communication or even negotiation skills that were needed as you worked with health care and insurance companies might now be second nature to you. If you also spent some time taking online courses or further developing your skills by reading books pertaining to your field, make sure to mention it. The key is to focus on what you have learned during the absence, not on the absence itself.

4- Focus on your strengths Instead of dwelling on your length of absence mention your specific strengths. Highlight the achievements and successes you have experienced in your past work history. You want to make a case for your ability to do the job for which you are applying. Make sure that those successes and achievements align with the role you are applying for and are included in your resume as well!

5- Upgrade your skills If you are in a field that changes rapidly like IT or in the medical field, for example, it may be time to seek out new certifications or upgrade your skills set in some way before attempting to go back to work. Employers like to see that you are in the now and know what is going on. Staying current in your chosen field is critical to your being able to make the case for your qualifications for the job. Don’t be afraid to take an online course or two or go back to school to get a new certification or degree if necessary. Linda.com has some great affordable online courses. Just remember that staying current is important and worth your time.

Wishing you the best at this time as well as for your family member.

Let me know if you have any questions by commenting on this post.

If you didn't care for a loved one, but know someone who did please be kind and pass this on to them : )

For some reason I haven't gotten any replies regarding positions and I have a feeling it's because I'm not currently working and I have not held a position with a company in some time although the upside to it is when I have worked with a facility you can tell I stay for a good length of time. I haven't been working because I have been the primary provider taking care of my grandmother with dementia this has been my job for quite sometime so maybe I need to write a cover letter stating that. What is your opinion?

I left my career in the banking/information processing industry to support my wife in her career, and ended up home-schooling our two children. Our younger just graduated with honors on his undergraduate, and our older already has her masters, both in business.

So you read Ashley’s post on writing a resume with gaps, and you got the interview! But what if they ask about resume gap details in the interview?

Be honest.

Maybe you had a baby, or maybe you took time off to take care of yourself or a family member. There’s no shame in that. You might find a connection with the interviewer if they have had a similar situation.

Think forward.

The more guilt and shame you have about your resume gap, the more the interviewer will be able to pick up on. There will be twists and turns in life, and that is completely normal. Make it clear to the interviewer that you are now ready for an opportunity to challenge yourself and create value for the company.

Life happens.

Let’s say you had to leave your old job because of personal issues. No problem! Tell the interviewer that you had to take time away to resolve personal projects, but you are now ready to focus on your career. Accept that you have a resume gap, and try to speak briefly and calmly about it. If you do this, chances are they will be more interested in your attitude and skills than the gap itself.

If this has helped you, please comment below and let me know!

I decided a few years ago to retire from my Nursing career and become a Minister. After four more years of college, I cannot find an opening in the Ministry, so I decided to go back into nursing. Guess what? no recent experience ( I had 22 years). I now have eight years of college, so I am overqualified to work in fast food or deliver pizza's, but have no experience in either career.

I have a job interview this Thursday, for a clerical job at the hospital. That would be the best job ever! So glad I finally at least have an interview. I was getting really depressed about not getting any calls. I think once I can finally meet an employer, they will have a different view than simply seeing that I haven't been employed for 16 years.

I was let go from my job recently. The reason for the termination was quite vague. How do I explain it to my next potential employer?

I am looking to get back into the work world after a long hiatus. The problem Im having is I haven't worked a full time job since November 2009 with the exception of 4 or 5 months in 2015. I had to take an early retirement and would gladly tell them why if given a chance. My background is collections,customer service and bankruptcy departments. I have well over 10 years experience with wonderful companies such as Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, Ford Motor Credit,Sprint,Ft Worth Police Department.When companies see the gap since my last job it's like they run. Are they assuming I've been in prison or something. Does anyone know of some companies who are not so judgemental and negative that would appreciate my experience and see it as an asset?