How to explain 18 months of unemployment on my resume? (interviewer, unemployed, employer)

[Long Time Unemployed]

The people who have replied so far are such nice people. You give me the matter of the doubt and don't blame me for doing nothing at all during the last 18 months other than lots of sleeping and watching TV. How could I have been so dumb and lazy?

While it may sound good in theory that the employers understand how tough it out there and will give me the matter of the doubt when I tell them I have failed constantly and no one else wants me, in practice most employers discriminate against the unemployed.

They think if no one else wants me why should they. Human nature says people want to be around people who are a success and respected and accepted by others. Employers want people who are growing in their careers and have a record of recent success and acccomplishments. That is not me. I have been sitting on my AXXXX for almost two years and have not been innovative enough to convince someone to hire me.

What in God's name should I do now?

[bobtn]

Convince them you understand you should have handled the last 18 months better. Admit to the error of not being proactive, in a way that conveys to them its a one-time mulligan.

[Nick99]

Originally Posted by Long Time Unemployed

The people who have replied so far are such nice people. You give me the matter of the doubt and don't blame me for doing nothing at all during the last 18 months other than lots of sleeping and watching TV. How could I have been so dumb and lazy?

While it may sound good in theory that the employers understand how tough it out there and will give me the matter of the doubt when I tell them I have failed constantly and no one else wants me, in practice most employers discriminate against the unemployed.

They think if no one else wants me why should they. Human nature says people want to be around people who are a success and respected and accepted by others. Employers want people who are growing in their careers and have a record of recent success and acccomplishments. That is not me. I have been sitting on my AXXXX for almost two years and have not been innovative enough to convince someone to hire me.

What in God's name should I do now?

I think you mean the 'benefit of the doubt'. You have been looking for work in this time, have you not? I wouldn't call that lazy.

Anyway, the important thing is you are serious about finding work now, regardless of whatever hiatus you might have taken in the past. Eighteen months is not that bad. Try to spin it in a positive light, as in you never considered changing careers because you are passionate about this one, and not ready to give up on it just because of a patch of bad luck.

This shows perseverance and determination. Whatever you may (or may not) have done in the past year and a half, can be undone with a few weeks of serious pavement-pounding. In this tough economy, I doubt anybody will be shocked you've been out of work for this length of time.

[Tober138]

Originally Posted by Gerrygal

Exactly. I have an interview tomorrow and that's what I intend to say, if I am asked the same question.

We don't owe anyone any further explanation for something which has happened through no fault of our own.

Enough said.

If one's only answer to such a question is, "I was unemployed" then that may not be the best response. In addition to looking for a new job, potential employers want to hear what else has been going on in that time period. For example, did you take any additional training or courses related to the position you are applying for (formal classes are great, but even self-study can be beneficial as well)? Did you keep up with current trends in your field? In other words, in addition to job hunting, did you do anything else to make your self remain competitive or become more marketable with your time while unemployed?

Now the OP's case sounds a little different as it sounds like they had some other issues going on. In that case, you certainly can't lie about your gap in employment. But at the same time I don't think they need to know about personal health / mental health issues either. Maybe you could just explain that you took some time off after your last position for personal reasons.

[Long Time Unemployed]

After being turned down for countless jobs I have reached out to employment agencies, recruiters and hiring managers and asked them why I did not get hired. When I could get a straight answer they all told me that my long period of unemployment on my resume with no indication of temp work, education or other fruitful activities basically sunk me.

My orginal questions stands, how to explain my lack of activity on my RESUME?

[Nick99]

Without lying, you can't explain it. Besides saying you were looking for work, if you indeed were. I don't know what else can be said if you didn't do any temp work, courses, volunteer work, etc. Did you travel? Did you do anything? Did you help a friend with a startup business, did you research an industry considering it as a career? Anything?

[earlyretirement]

I've seen people like this with huge gaps in their resume. Many employers on principle alone won't hire someone that has been out of the job market so long.

The first thing I think most people should do that get fired/laid off, etc. is to learn another language. Get fluent in another language. Especially, Spanish if possible so that you can always say that you took time off to get fluent in another language.

Nothing is worse for you in an interview and just saying the excuse that you were unemployed and couldn't find a job. That doesn't look good. Actually horrible.

It's a good lesson for others that get laid off to stay active, volunteer, travel if you can, learn a new language. Improve yourself. Too many people feel sorry for themselves after a job loss but the thing to do is stay active, stay focused and think positively.

Good luck.

[Koale]

Originally Posted by Long Time Unemployed

The people who have replied so far are such nice people. You give me the matter of the doubt and don't blame me for doing nothing at all during the last 18 months other than lots of sleeping and watching TV. How could I have been so dumb and lazy?

While it may sound good in theory that the employers understand how tough it out there and will give me the matter of the doubt when I tell them I have failed constantly and no one else wants me, in practice most employers discriminate against the unemployed.

They think if no one else wants me why should they. Human nature says people want to be around people who are a success and respected and accepted by others. Employers want people who are growing in their careers and have a record of recent success and acccomplishments. That is not me. I have been sitting on my AXXXX for almost two years and have not been innovative enough to convince someone to hire me.

What in God's name should I do now?

Just exactly what are you looking to hear? Now that you have managed to get off your AXX, as you put it, it's time to figure this out for yourself. You gave up the past two years, noone else did it for you. I think being nice has allowed you to stay on the couch. Get it together and get moving! Sorry, no sympathy from this 55+ hr a week employee.
Koale

[rfr69]

Originally Posted by Gerrygal

Exactly. I have an interview tomorrow and that's what I intend to say, if I am asked the same question.

We don't owe anyone any further explanation for something which has happened through no fault of our own.

Enough said.

I purposely didn't answer harping on this person because it seems they know sitting around collecting UI half ass looking for work was not smart so no need to rub it in.

This person admitedly sat round not really looking content to collecti UI. This does require some explaination if you want to get the job.

Someone who can't find a job for 18 months employers start to wonder if something is wrong with them.

[LoveBoating]

People want to say "employers will understand if the gap is explained to them"......well, how can it be explained if the person doesn't get a call or an interview to explain the gap?? IMO, many employers refuse to understand 'cause they have resumes in front of them with only a few months gap in them. Even if the person is fully qualified for the position, an employer can toss the resume due to a large gap in employment.
I doubt very much that employers even care about how bad the economy has been, let alone hearing any excuses about gaps in employment.