I graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting. Soon after I graduated, i worked for a CPA firm for one year and then i worked for a multi-national investment company for about three years. I had a baby and decided I need to take some time off... fast forward 7 years, I had three more kids. It didn’t make sense to work since my entire paycheck would be going to day care. Now my kids are old enough to be in school and now I am ready to start my career! Only problem is that I am not getting any calls! I know my employment gap is huge but I had a valid reason. I am getting rejection emails from even entry level positions that I am very well qualified to do!

What should I do next?

Why are short (1 year or less) gaps of employment considered negative? This has been a burning question of mine for quite awhile.

I was laid off from my employer. When I go on an interview what do I say? If they call my employer what are they legally obligated to say?

Hi ,

I have a career gap of 5 years. So finding it difficult to get into work force. Can anyone help me in arranging some interviews. Also because of the gap am looking for entry to mid level position as Cisco voice/Voip engineer , unified communications engineer, macd engineer kind of profiles. ( looking for jobs in New Hampshire or Massachusetts). Also I have work authorization to work for any employer in US.

I have over 5 years of experience in Cisco Collaboration Solutions including Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Cisco Unity Connection, Unified Contact Center Express, Cisco Voice Gateways, VG224. I have worked as a Senior Analyst (Voice) at HCL America Inc for 2 years between 2012 and 2014. During this time, I was part of a team responsible for maintaining the Enterprise Collaboration Infrastructure of a Fortune 500 client and I handled the day to day administration of their UC Solution.

Prior to that, I was based in India and I worked as a Network Engineer in Eljay Engineering India Pvt Ltd for 3 Years. As Network Engineer in a NOC, I was responsible for handling Incidents and MACD's for multiple clients with different Network Topologies. I also worked with multiple Providers/Vendors for circuit issues

Thanks & Regards

I worked as a Patient Advocate/Pharmaceutical Social Worker for a nonprofit company for approximately 10yrs. Unfortunately I was a passenger in an MVA which left me with a cervical/lumbar injury which required surgery. I had 2 surgeries and had to take 6wks off each time, went through a lawsuit, was bullied and harassed at work, trying to get ready for my first upcoming wedding. Long story short, I lost my new sport car (manual transmission), lost my case(there was no police report), lost my job (I was physically only able to work 3 days a week) and I lost my health. I just had my 8th back surgery. I don’t know if anyone will hire me since I haven’t worked since December ‘14. I would love to go back into Pharmaceuticals, can anyone tell me how to get my foot in the door? I really love helping others!

I have been a contractor for many years, although not my first choice to be. I have gained a lot of valuable experience as an Admin and Executive Assistant. I have a college degree. With each role I take on, there is always the chance of being offered the role permanently but there are always budget reasons why the company or department cannot take me on. (I've worked in the pharmaceutical arena where there are many mergers and reorganizations with tight budgets.) I was very much liked in my last role and my managers have given me glowing references. I've been on many interviews and still have not been able to find work since December of last year. I began looking while I was still at that role knowing it was coming to an end. Now I'm being asked or judged why I have not worked since then. I honestly don't understand why this should be so difficult. I went on one interview in which my resume matched exactly what they were looking for and I had worked for the company in the past and so I felt I had a good chance. One of the managers looked at my resume after asking me all of the pertinent questions and wanted to know about a small gap in my resume from 2008. It was all I could do to contain my anger. But I did not let it show. What kind of an imbecile needs to ask about a gap in someone's resume from over 11 years ago when the most recent experience is a perfect match??

I feel so doomed the longer I am out of work. And what is with all these Indian agents calling me for roles, but I never get the job. Do they work on commission? One of them just today said, "Why have you not worked in such a long time?" I hung up on her. If this is politically incorrect, I couldn't care less!

-Had it and at my wits end!

Hi... This is my 1st post, my name is Starlet and I am tryijng everything to get a job. I learn fast and communicate well with other's. My son is 22yrs old and I am married.. My husband is disabled and I jave either had jobs that were cleaning individuals homes and go to store with them. Unfortunately she passed aeay and we moved South 3 to 4 hrs away. So Im a homemaker for 10 yrs. I worked as a stna prior and worked 16 hr shifts. I jad a good work team and now want retail seasonal just to get foot in the door. I even call to check my application and 1st time doing it online...remember it jas been 10 yrs. What else can I do?

I have some short employment lengths on my resume. Is there a way to get around this because it has kept me from getting a job that I can keep for many years?

A resume more than 2 pages is too much. A resume is meant for relevant work history for jobs you are applying for. Of course there are exceptions - like a federal or military resume. Those are set to a specific criteria that had to be followed for document review.

Think strengths, growth and relevance for an outstanding resume. #gapsinresume #resources #resumewriting #careerchange #careerdevelopment

I had to take a sudden leave of absence of 2 1/2 years. How should I write this so it doesn't close doors before they are opened? And If asked, how should I respond so I don't have to go into detail or offend them?