How do I explain a 5 year gap in employment?

So, I got divorced and had a major surgery. I want to go back to work now but I have a lot of explaining to do.

Any advice?

Tell them about the major surgery. It's not your fault you had a brain tumor... They'll understand, and probably be impressed that you're recovering and starting work again.

Just be honest. I don't think anyone would have a problem with your explanation.

They may not even ask.

I have a 5 year gap because I stayed home to raise babies for awhile. Then I have another, more recent 9 month gap, during which I was laid off. Nobody ever asks me directly about this gap, although sometimes I'll offer up the info anyway in the course of conversation.... and move on.

Or you can always just say, "I took 5 years off which was a great break, but now I'm re-energized and ready to come back." and leave it at that. Just be sure to smile and not look glum and ominous, like you're hiding some big horrible secret. Because then they will probe around.... as much as they can, legally. Because legally, your health history and divorce is none of their business. So they can't ask - and don't fall into the trap of offering it up.

Nowadays, people do take time off for all sorts of reasons, not just to raise kids or for health reasons. This is the nature of our workforce, where people move on after an average of 4 years and job hop and move around, and families usually have more than one breadwinner so they can afford the luxury of taking turns working. 

For example I have a friend who recently took off several years simply because she wanted a break from her fast-paced career, and she was fortunate enough to have a hubby who could cover their living expenses while she took some R&R. She had no problem getting a job - and few people ask her about this employment gap. If they do, she simply says, "I was fortunate enough to be able to take off some time to smell the roses and enjoy life for awhile."

Honestly? I'm not sure I would mention the brain tumor because that may raise all sorts of issues in their minds - do you have any lasting damage that would prevent you from doing the job? Are you going to be too much of a liability on the company insurance? Etc.

And I wouldn't mention the divorce either, because it's absolutely none of their business.

Be confident and focus on the NOW, not on the last 5 years.

Treasure hunting and adventure in a strange foreign land.

You have nothing to keep from prospective employers.  Most employers are concerned about an employee who has been unable to keep steady employment because of work performance or not getting along with others, etc.  Best wishes to you.

Original Post by jenmcc:

They may not even ask.

Oh we ask all right. They key is to be as short and to the point as possible. "I had major surgery and a long recuperation period. I'm 100% healthy and ready for work" is fine. No one is going to start digging around over that mainly because you can't make a hiring decision based on health. When my radar goes off is when people start giving me long winded explanations that sound like well fabricated stories. Sadly, even the truth starts to sound like an elaborate lie when you keep yapping and yapping.

Also you don't want to make it sound like you're trying to elicit sympathy. That turns off employers as well, sorry to say.

Soap-Opera style Amnesia. Works every time on TV!

Original Post by deathrocket:

Treasure hunting and adventure in a strange foreign land.

haha lol. love it.

When you fill out an app for the company that I work for, you have to list every period of employment and unemployment for the past 7 years.  Most companies aren't that strict.  But, I will tell you, we would rather see 2003-2008 unemployed due to medical purposes than 3 pages worth of jobs that have been held down for a month or 2 at a time.  I agree with spirochete, be short and to the point.  Plus, before employment is offered, they technically cannot ask you if you have any type of illness or disability.  Good Luck with the job hunt!

When I was doing the interviewing/ reviewing of resumes it was the people with a new job every 6- 12 months that made you wonder about their reliability.

When I had taken a "work sabatical" I had one employer ask about the 3 year gap and I just told them I chose to stay home and home school my children.  Prior to that I had always been with a job at least 2 years -and most 5.  I always found the hardest question to be why do you want to leave your current job!!