Ask the Experts: Finding a Job After an Extended Vacation
Question:
I graduated two years ago and then took an 20 month vacation before I started to look for a job. Now that I’m ready to work, I can’t get hired.
How should I account for the long period of unemployment on my resume?
First Answer:
Wow! that’s some vacation!
If you worked previously and then decided not to work for close to two years you must have had some valid reason or plan.
WHY? If you had a valid reason not to seek work (e.g. to travel and to get
life experience), you might be able to put it on your resume much as you
would a sabbatical. If you just “goofed off” and have no job history,
there will be no interruption of your employment on your resume, since you
don’t have any!
Whatever your reason, I think you should be honest about it. There is no way to “hide” that many months so just be open. I’d be as
creative as possible accounting for you time, however. If you did
volunteer work, learned additional skills…anything other than sit in
front of the tv for 20 months, then put it down. If you really did just
goof off that long you will have some explaining to do.
Some graduates do take a long time to “find themselves.” If that’s you, say so and make no
apologies. The point is that you are ready and willing to work NOW. If
necessary convince prospective employers of this fact by offering to work
on a trial basis (for a specific, limited time) so that they can see how
motivated you are, now.
— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS¬Ã, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column
Second Answer:
A 20-month vacation? Must be nice. You can’t lie about what you
did during that time, so we can only hope you did some constructive
things that you can list on your resume. Did you, for example:
- Take any courses?
- Earn a certification?
- Do any freelance or consulting work?
- Learn a new skill?
- Do volunteer work?
- Engage in competitive sports?
- Work in any low-level jobs outside your field (server, bartender, for example) so that you can at least list the skills used?
- Travel? Even travel won’t be useful if it’s not relevant to the kind of job you seek, but here’s how I handled travel on one client’s resume:
3/01 – 10/01 – Travel, employment, and cultural and language studies in Greece
If you haven’t done any of the things on the above list, I’d suggest you start doing some of them now while you’re job-hunting so as not
to extend the gap. Consider pursuing a paid or unpaid internship to
get some good experience in your field.
Brainstorm as best you can to find a creative way to account for the 20-month gap without being dishonest or stretching the
truth beyond credibility. Whether or not you’re able to come up
with a good explanation, you will probably want to use a chrono-functional
resume to de-emphasize the gap. Read more about this format in
an article I wrote, Should You Consider a Functional Resume?
.
If you simply don’t have anything constructive or relevant to list, you may want to hire a good resume writer to help you come up with a workable
solution to this truly difficult dilemma.
— Katharine Hansen, former speechwriter and college instructor who provides content for the Web site, Quintessential Careers, edits QuintZine, an electronic newsletter for jobseekers, and prepares job-search correspondence as chief writer for Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters
Third Answer:
I think a vacation / sabbatical / life adventure after college is a fantastic idea if you can manage it. After attending school nonstop for the
first 20 years of one’s life, I think you’ve earned a little break before
taking on the demands of a career, graduate school, and/or family. I also
think a planned sabbatical of 3-12 months is a great idea throughout one’s
career.
On to the present, I’m not really sure what you mean by “can’t get hired.” Not knowing what your degree is in or what you did during your 20 month
vacation, I can’t really be specific in advising you. But I am sure there
are ways to characterize your experiences and improve your resume.
— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com
Fourth Answer:
Even if you did not work during this period of time you need to show a potential employer that you were productive. Did you do volunteer work, attend classes or seminars, or work part-time during this period?
You need to put something on your resume to show that you were productive in some way. Ask yourself, “Did I do anything during this period that could be considered work? And if so, What were the skills I used?” Give yourself a title like: Self-Employed Handyman or Community Service Worker.
In the meantime, find an opportunity where you can volunteer, preferably in your desired line of work. You can then add this to your resume to show potential employers that you are working. When adding this to your resume, put it under work experience, and not volunteer experience. After all work is work whether you are paid for it or not.
— Carla Barrett, trainer who uses state of the art methods for coaching individuals towards success and fulfillment in their careers
Fifth Answer:
During the interviewing process – honesty is always the best policy. Some people jump into work immediately after graduation and then take a break. As a coach I have worked with clients who never took a break and now suffer from “burn-out”. Be honest with how you spent your time. Perhaps there were things you learned during your vacation that can be an asset, i.e. acclimating with other cultures, world economics, racial tolerations. If you view everyday as an opportunity to learn and grow you can turn what may be viewed as “goofing off” into lessons you can utilize on the job. As in every interview, find out what the need of the employer is and demonstrate ways in which you can meet them. Emphasize why you are the right person for the long haul with the company.
If you are still wondering, work with a professional coach who can guide you through the process easier and faster. I am offering a 20% discount on one month of coaching to anyone who mentions this article.
— Janine A. Schindler, Professional Coach and owner of the Jas Coaching Company
