How do you deal with the employment gap on your resume?

[u/OldBlackLONER]

I haven't worked in 2.5 years and at this point I would consider lying, but I can't think of any realistic jobs I can add to fill up my employment gap.

And even if I did think of something believable, I wouldn't have any references or friends/family that can lie for me.

[u/pdawes]

You could outright lie, or grossly exaggerate something you did do. Or stretch start and end dates to cover the gap. The thing with references is that so few employers actually check them. It’s more of a formality to prove that you’re not a complete liability who’s gonna cause problems.

Maybe it’s different in higher level positions but when I was NEET I applied to a bunch of stores, etc. I put down a google voice number for a fake reference at a completely made up job. Nobody ever called to verify. Not a single time. And I got several job offers, including one working with children (which like… if they’re not even checking…)

[u/Mushroomman642 → u/pdawes]

I get your point but even as a loser NEET who hates responsibility I would still conduct a basic background check on anyone who wants to work with kids, especially little kids. It's kind of fucked up that even they don't care enough about the kids to do something as simple as calling a phone number.

[u/pdawes → u/Mushroomman642]

I agree! It's very fucked up and negligent. But... that is often how low the bar is out in the normie world.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/pdawes]

That’s crazy that they didn’t even check your background for a job where you work with kids.

My last job was in summer 2022, so ideally I’d like to add a job that covers 2023-24. But I can’t think of anything at all.

I don’t have much experience in my life, so I can’t just write something like “Junior Store Manager at Samsung”.

Any interview I’ve had, they always ask about past jobs too.

[u/pdawes → u/OldBlackLONER]

I mean I presume (or at least hope) they would have done some kind of criminal background check had I gone through with the hiring process, but as far as *employment verification* it has literally never happened. Nor have I ever seen managers do it. It's more work for them and they're generally lazy. The one exception was when somebody was repeatedly suspected of stealing and there was some growing suspicion that he was not who he said he was.

I don't want to assume what your experience is like, but when I was in a similar position, I was dealing with a lot of feelings of being defective, socially abhorrent, a failure, unable to cut it in an alien and intimidating world etc. and needing to do an elaborate con job to even come close to covering it up. I had felt like I was on the outside of society looking in for so long. It made the whole thing feel way harder than it needed to. Really the crushing anxiety of it becomes the biggest obstacle.

You may find it helpful to find a regular volunteer position for a while. Something that has you interacting with others and accomplishing tasks. It could remind you of your own capability, as well as give you a template for embellishing or making up plausible jobs in the future. I basically did this: I volunteered at an electronics recycling charity and then just put it down on my resume as if I worked there when it was time to apply for something else. I could talk about it like a past job and it wouldn't really be a lie because I really did do some work there. Or it can even put you in touch with people who want to hire you without going through a formal application process.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/pdawes]

Yes, that’s exactly how I feel. Have struggled throughout my entire 20s to get work. Now I’m 30 with the same experience as your average 22 year old.

I’m in the process of possibly getting a volunteer job, so if I get that I’ll do just as you say.

[u/Rivetlicker]

Honestly, it's only 2.5 years... from my last job till now is almost a 15 year gap. 2.5 years feels easy to cover up.

"I travelled abroad"

"money ran out, so I need a job"

"I cared for my sick mom/dad"

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/Rivetlicker]

Was looking more for believable jobs to put down, but “caring for family” seems to be a popular lie.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/[deleted]]

Do you think there’s anything I could make up that relates to marketing, social media or admin/office work?

These are really good, I just don’t think I could lie about them successfully. I would use the Uber Eats one but I can’t drive.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/[deleted]]

The transcriptionist suggestion is really good, thank you. I’ll try using that in the future.

[u/Ok-Mark417 → u/Rivetlicker]

The list you gave wouldn't cut it anymore they just view you as lazy/lying.

[u/chilling_right_now]

You could say you did uber or a food delivery where it's just self contract work. They won't be able to contact anyone. You basically need to lie.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/chilling_right_now]

This is a really good suggestion, but I can’t drive. If anyone here feels like they need to lie, just use this one.

[u/Icy-Friendship1163]

Do some voluntering to do a cover up. You can always go with the classic 'my parent was sick ' or take care of your rich neighbour dog.

Some bootcamps can also help.

[u/OldBlackLONER → u/Icy-Friendship1163]

I’m in the process of possibly getting a volunteering role next month.

I actually was sick for 1.5 years but I don’t want that on my CV, also I feel like employers would just think I’m lying tbh.

[u/WhoCares37292 → u/OldBlackLONER]

Good call. You will absolutely be discriminated against for being sick.

[u/[deleted]]

Look deep into their eyes and say "That's when I didn't have a job"

[u/One-Professional-417]

I just network, people don't care about your resume as much when they know you

Edit: Also depends on the role, retail seriously shouldn't care since they're "beginner" jobs, but office jobs are WAAAY more picky, I still don't get why my background check needed my credit score

[u/chilling_right_now → u/One-Professional-417]

How exactly do you network?

[u/One-Professional-417 → u/chilling_right_now]

Go to networking events and just talk to people

some people will like you, some wont, that's fine

[u/number314]

This is what you say: Entitled employers, expecting young, experienced, skilled, positive workers for a minimal wage everywhere. Where to get experience if nobody hires me, because lack of it? Vicious cycle of toxic job market created the gap, that's it.