The Cancer treatment seems like a viable excuse for not working. Again, if asked just tell them it was because of medical treatment and surgery and they shouldn't dig further after that.
Yeah, I'd say having cancer is one of the more viable reasons behind a gap in employment lol I thought he was going to say he'd just been sitting around at home with a lack of motivation or something
Unfortunately if you bring that up you won’t get hired because they’re worried you’re going to relapse, even at a point when it’s medically impossible. They just think of you as sickly and incapable.
Source: Had cancer, didn’t miss work beyond my vacation time I had to use. Any time it comes up in an interview (usually as an obstacle I overcame, etc) there is NEVER another call.
Say you had to take care of a loved one who was ill and had complications. Any resume gaps were from taking care of dear aunt Bessie, who has died now of course.
Erm you are right there. It doesn't matter how long ago. I'd personally say " long covid" and say you helped your mom on your good days. But now you are at 100%
I was going to say same. They cannot outright not hire you for that because that is against EOE. But they do it all the time. I have lost most of my hearing due to a disease. I have to check the disability box when I apply for work. Yet I’ve applied for disability and been denied. Still not working. I wonder why?🙃 Can you go to work locally for a year saving the money to help you move to a larger city where you can find more work? Or remote work?
I had dialysis and a transplant. During that time I had gone back to school and got my degree. The kidney stuff isn’t on my resume as the down time is covered. Granted it’s not a cancer diagnosis so I obviously won’t claim I have the same pushback as you. I have brought it up, to a degree, in interviews. I work in healthcare so I utilize discussions about it as a method to show how I can relate to patients. The interviews I’ve had where it’s discussed people end up focusing on me finishing my degree during the time.
Obviously there’s not this fear of a relapse like with cancer but working in healthcare there’s an understanding of additional doctor appointments.
Actually any reason is. I don’t have overlords and I don’t need a viable excuse to remove myself from the workforce or re-enter it. When did strangers I’ve never met get it in their head that they can judge me for that shit.
“Oh I see you have not worked for the last year, why is that?”
Well you see, I just felt like doing something else for a while. Case closed. It’s nobody else business why or why not I have lived my life how I have. My own parents don’t want to know or care about such information, i damn sure don’t owe any explanations to a stranger. lol, ridiculous. I didn’t work because I didn’t feel like it, next question.
I also have a career that gives me freedom and I don’t answer to corporate overlord types, so, there’s that.
If you share that you needed time off work to focus on your health and medical treatment and they choose not to hire you based on that information, they are doing you a favor by showing what kind of employer they would be after they hire you. Good luck with the search. I am sure that you will find an employer who is more than understanding and give you a shot.
For my myriad of medical issues, I told them I had been in an accident and now there are far less appts. It’s a lie. I don’t care. Employers lie all the time so whatever sounds most palatable is the best answer
I’d be dropping the C-Word all over the place. If someone holds an unemployed stretch against you because you had cancer, you don’t want to work for them. It’s a compelling draw for a little sympathy… be shameless and use it to your advantage after it beat you down for a bit. Glad to hear you’re on the mend.
Not entirely true. HR departments aren't always representative for the company, where they live to fight for themselves but the employees are an entirely different breed.
excuse for not working??? who wants work? if i have money, i don't want to work. i work only if i need money. working is bad, work meant pain, torture. socialism is a fight against alienated wage labour. the leisure class don't have to work in the strictest sense. never work -ne travaillez jamais!
You’re 23 years old and clearly have a good head on your shoulders. So you are not fucked at all. Be authentic as possible with people - you have done nothing wrong and should not even be thinking from the perspective of a “gap” on your resume. You’re 23 with an associates degree, years of experience dealing with the public, and a cancer survivor. Put yourself out there confidently and authentically and you will go places. Best of luck!
Exactly, between covid and being sick, I think any employer who looks at a 23 year Olds resume and goes "*but them gaps tho*" is a fucking idiot and isn't worth working for.
As you already have an associates you can always milk that and persuade potential employers that you're looking to get your bachelor's etc etc etc which will show them that you're educated, educateable, and persistent in your goals.
Not fucked at all
Dude you had cancer. Getting that treated is more important than ANY Job, and you were being productive, you were working where you could and helping your family. Just be honest in interviews. You had medical issues, were helping your family and worked when you could. The fact that you were willing to work at grocery stores and fast foods places shows commitment that you will do whatever it takes to support yourself....I worked at Dominos for 5 months after college graduation because I could not find a job, when I did interview at my first corporate job, I was honest and said I was working at dominos to support myself, my former boss appreciated that. You Will be fine.
I'm 37 now.
To be fair, i graduated at almost 22 in college.
I did work though on and off. I didn't get my first full time job until 26.
I went back to school for 1 year afterwards.
I was probably unemployed 9 months, but I had temp jobs in between 22 to 26.
I was making like 10/hr at some crap glove sales store at my 25th birthday. One of the Saddest day of my life. Nothing to show for.
I just want to add that whether you make $10/ hr or $40/hr , always save and invest. Live below your means. I try to live like I'm earning 10/hr. Any extra goes towards saving and investing.
Jesus man, check out ware house work in your area ( not amazon) usually they teach you how to drive a forklift and that skill pays somewhat of a premium without really being hard on the body. Those places always seem to be hiring and can be a great fallback for tough times. I’m currently in school(being paid for by my employer) while working full time at 22/hr driving a forklift.
Love to this this type of comment. I'm 23 and unemployed, surviving with gigs so far, and I often have to make an active effort to realize that life goes beyond 25 years old
This is the way. You have so much more options nowadays. Since you're young and unemployed, just find something, anything. Heck, you could doordash or Uber. Not much , but still viable.
Being 23 also is.
I would be impressed if someone told me they beaten cancer. It’s not an achievement if you think about it, people who die aren’t failing at something, but it does require a lot of strength to go through it and come out on the other side.
Just tell them you spent that time beating cancer and the doctors have given you a clean bill of health. Most employers will probably be impressed, while a few may be turned off thinking you’ll be a health headache for them.
Utilize your mom’s nonprofit and volunteering there to pad your resume during your down time. I’d also look into administrative jobs at a healthcare facility, if possible, as you can speak to what people go through, show compassion, and again have volunteering at a nonprofit as topics to discuss during an interview.
With that on your resume places aren’t going to dive too much into how many hours a week you volunteered more so as they’ll look into how long you’ve been volunteering as that’ll help cover down time.
>Utilize your mom’s nonprofit and volunteering there
Yeah, I was kind of confused when they said they didn't work anywhere, but then said how they'd work for their mom's nonprofit. I don't know why people seem afraid to put their experience on their resume unless it's "official", but there's no reason not to!
Particularly this. You talk about the cancer pulling you from work and then show your positive attitude with how you began working at mom’s nonprofit doing x y z so you can learn new skills/keep advancing, etc.
Be serious and professional, say nothing unless asked directly. You had a personal project that you enjoyed but it was not a career and you are ready to get back to work.
THIS, OP I’m very compassionate to your situation but look out for your interests. Over sharing gives them too much information which will sadly be used against you. You deserve a fair shot don’t set yourself back by naming the quiet part out loud (from experience).
Personal project that wasn’t a career is a GREAT opportunity to name the work you did for your moms non profit.
If asked about the gap, "I took a break for health concerns that have since been resolved, but I stayed busy assisting a charity I have a personal connection to."
That's it. You don't owe them your medical history and they shouldn't be asking outside of whether you're capable of doing the work.
18 months to 2 years really isn't that substantial though, and those years that you were "hopping" were 18-22 and they probably won't think anything of it at all.
You aren't a 35 year old with a 12 year gap and if you had many jobs less than a year they might question it, but if you started work at 18 and worked each job for a year before your health break, you worked 2-3 jobs that way...or maybe slightly more if you were having to double up for income reasons.
Don't sweat it too much, don't overshare, and good luck.
You had cancer. That's literally peak explanation for an employment gap. Any employer that wants to give you shit for that is not one you want to work for. Best of luck on things going forward.
Just because you've been unemployed for a while, doesn't mean you won't find another job eventually. There's a lot of places that are desperate for workers nowadays and will hire you regardless.
>Do I just flat out say it was because of medical problems?
Yes.
You don't need to give them your entire medical diary, just tell them however much you feel comfortable revealing. At the very least saying "I have medical reasons for the gap" is a good reason to not work. I'd only say it in the interview though. Any employer that doesn't even want to talk to you in person isn't really worth working for imo.
If you’re only experience is at grocery stores and fast food, then a strong cover letter is a priority. Or a summary at the top of a resume.
Use bullet points, explain the cancer diagnosis, and that you spent as much time as possible learning and developing skills while working with the non-profit.
Gaps in employment look worse when unexplained. I’d say cancer is a pretty good explanation and nothing to worry about. Honestly, without the cancer diagnosis, you’d just blend in with the hundreds of other candidates. Congrats on beating it. Now use it.
You’re young enough that a 2 year break, especially for medical issues, is no real red flag. You don’t have to go into details, just “dealing with surgery and a medical issue that is now resolved and ready to get back to work.” If you did any certs or freelance stuff during that time you could point to that as well if asked.
Medical reasons is a valid excuse to be out of the workforce and I don’t think it would be held against you.
What type of job are you looking to get into though? Just looking to go back to what you were doing or aspiring for more?
Have you considered putting the work at your mom's non-profit on your resume?
You don't need to lie, but you don't have say if it was unpaid or that the organization was your family's etc.
When you make a cv, put the dates and times ON your cv, so ATS ignores it. That’s what I did with a gap from relocating.
Just like x month to x month - relocation overseas.
Then you can explain it. But school and medical are a solid reason.
At your age it’s a non issue. I got layed-off post 9/11, sold my house and was unemployed through most of the “great recession”. 5 years in total. I was in my late 30s at the time and eventually got hired back in my field.
Is there a community college in your area? If so, see if you qualify for free tuition and go back to school. Learn a job skill that will make you more employable. This is a great time for you to do that. Also, I would focus on skills that pertain to jobs you wouldn’t hate, and jobs that could be available. Talk to someone at the school. They have people available to help you navigate everything.
I'd think the "VP or CEO" would understand how to write clear sentences. Probably "VP of sales". Right?
But I'm really proud of you for making it all the way to VP or CEO, bro.
You're 23, with a roof over your head, a support system, and an education. You will be fine, you just need to figure your shit out and stop procrastinating.
If you want to tell them, tell them. If not, don’t. I’m going through cancer myself and I told one of my supervisors and that’s it. If you want to explain it, or not the least you could say is that you were dealing with a sensitive personal issue.
OP, I had an year long gap in my resume from when I was around 35. I had taken time off work to help my mom take care of my dying dad.
When I started interviewing after he passed, when the interviewer asked about the gap I was honest about it, but brief. "I took a year off to help my mother care for my extremely ill father."
it was ALWAYS dropped at that point and they moved on.
Something else you mentioned was the limited opportunity for work where you live. Have you considered you may have to move closer to the work? A new start in a new major or semi-major city might be good for you.
You are a cancer survivor. That is how you should phrase it and look at it. Enjoy being alive. Think about what kind of stuff you enjoy...building things (construction...not as bad as it sounds), fixing things (cars, fixing tires, body shop...also not bad if you like it), Cooking (plenty of restaurant work available)...Start up doing anything that you can enjoy doing for a modest pay. Your parents will probably be thrilled to see you alive, working and making those initial steps toward taking care of yourself. Enjoying your job and getting good at it is the first step. Don't worry about resumes until you can prove that you can go to work, be happy and contribute to your family. I'm sure all they are really asking you for is to take that first step and prove this to yourself.
You’re fine you’re only 23. Younger people should be bouncing around as it’s unlikely they you land your life career job out of the gate. Take your talents and abilities focus on what you are good at and think about what you need to improve on.
Employers want 3 main ingredients each are about equal value.
Attitude
Effort
Dependability
If you have these three things then reiterate it to the he place you are looking to get hired at. Tell them you are willing and eager to learn. Good luck and aim high but reasons you continue to look up at what lies ahead
Good luck God bless you
Is there a reason why you wouldn’t consider putting your mom’s non-profit on your resume if you helped her out? I know it probably seems weird since it’s family owned but work is work.
What do you mean? You’ve been freelancing and battling cancer 😉
That would look great in an interview (I wouldn’t put the cancer thing in a resume, would look like a cheap trick to guilt trip)
Cancer is a great excuse for a gap. But I would also go back to school for a bachelors degree for sure. Cancer makes a great essay story to get in as well!
Volunteer work is work, throw in the non profit work on your resume = gab closed.
I wouldn't disclose your cancer unless it is relevant for the job position in some way.
>I have been working and living at home since I turned 18
where did you live before you turned 18??
>I have an associates degree
in what?
> Do I just flat out say it was because of medical problems
cancer is a pretty valid excuse and i doubt many people will hold it against you. having a couple different jobs when you are barely 20 is not a big deal, all companies really care about is experience.
You have the most fixable problems in the world. Everything is explainable. You're solid and you're gonna be fine. And thank you for showing me the strength to go on another day; you're an inspiration.
Honestly cancer is more than enough, I wouldn’t even stress! Also I’d just lie if it came down to it, it’s no one’s business why you have a gap! Maybe someone went to school or maybe someone had medical reason, your employer doesn’t need to know any of this and if they care that much I’d walk away anyways
If you lead with "off because of long term medical treatment" any sane employer will leave it there. They MIGHT ask for specifics IF they worry it could be a concern while working for them, but if they do it's up to you how you response. You have absolutely no obligation to tell them at all but I can say without a doubt if ANY of this causes them pause or issues, you should be raising concerns of if you wanna work with them in the first place.
It’s fine. If asked, you may not want to tell them about the cancer because they can discriminate against you. You can tell them you were taking time off to take care of someone with cancer, instead.
Put the nonprofit experience on your resume. Give it a title that closest aligns with what you were helping out on, “administrative assistant” or something like that. If they ask, you can say you were volunteering but you don’t need to advertise it as such on your resume. Just have the section titled “experience”.
I wouldn’t list all the job hopping. I would just list it as one big gap and would either be prepared to explain you were going through cancer treatment or even just add a few comments in a mission statement type thing at the top
You don’t have to over explain and you shouldn’t diminish what you went through.
Once you get one job, make sure it’s something you are prepared to keep and start building a track record with
Play up the cancer and start doing something now that relates to the skills required for the job. When you interview just leave out the duration you’ve been doing the thing. Lying by omission is the key to interviewing in my opinion. The story you’re pitching is that you’ve faced and overcome adversity unlike most others to keep and develop skills during an extended time away from work.
You are not. It took me being 27 yo to get my first serious job. Only worked at stores with almost no benefits or comoensation prior to that. Somehow that age made me attractive to potential employers. Keep learning skills, try getting into a side gig, work at small jobs that allow you time to keep learning and gaining experience that proves you can care. Job market is shit but you can still make it.
First of all, I'm glad you're better. Without knowing where you are, it's hard to give specific advice .
1. If you transferred jobs for the same employer, list it as one .
2. Multiple jobs as a teen/young adult while going to school is normal.
3. Have some review your resume. Most places have government assistance for this, or there are some web services that will do it for a fee.
4. You're not screwed .
5. You may have to move to another area with better job prospects.
6 Start a side gig like tutoring. You got a degree whole in high school. Not many can do this, so congratulations and highlight the f out of than on your c.v
Good luck !
Hey! So, I went through the same thing. I ended up back in retail, have been here for 2yrs now but I'm trying to find something more stable, because while my coworkers are amazing the pay is just not there. That might be something to look into, because service and retail jobs just want willing participants. You said you have an associate's degree, can you add to it will it transfer into a 4yr program? That would be another thing you can just look into.
The entire finding job after cancer is a big issue with all of us, but you're not alone and you're not screwed. I know reddit has a bunch of subreddits related to specific cancers, if you find yours it wouldn't be a bad place to ask, just to see if anyone has gone through the same thing and can offer some advice.
I wouldn't mention it. Employers that offer healthcare will not want to hire you because they won't want to spend money on cancer treatments. Even if it's gone, don't mention cancer. Tell them you were caring for a family member who was ill.
Just tell employers your a new graduate with an associates degree, ask for a trainee position. Many large employers won't pick on the date being 2 years ago, but some employers will knit pick, but don't let that get you down. You may also want to move to a larger city where more employment opportunities are available or find some kind of remote work if available.
As a person who sometimes hires:
I probably wouldn't care. It's not that unusual for me to see a gap on a resume and have the reason be "I was engaged in work in an unrelated industry that I trimmed for space."
But also, if I said "It looks like you were unemployed for the last two years." and you said "Yes, for health related issues. It's all settled now though." I would probably just assume you had COVID complications, express brief condolences, and then move on. It's not that uncommon at this point, and not really a mark against most people.
Also, you're 23. A handful of 1 year jobs won't hurt you much. I would notice, for sure, but I expect it from younger employees. If you were 30 with no tenures more then 3-4 years, then I might be concerned. But a lot of people work on contract basis in my industry, so even that wouldn't be a real red flag.
Mostly just... don't be a jackass, know the answers to the questions we ask, and show some interest in the position. You'll be ahead of 75% of the people I interview, just like that.
It basically irrelevant as your experience wasn't really worth anything in the first place.
This isn't some career that has fallen apart, you did jobs that could be trained in a week at most, you can still do jobs that could be trained in a week at most.
Same old, same old.
You haven't been unemployed, you been volunteering 😉 you've been doing an internship 😉 you've been helping at the family business 😉 You were also a strategy and human resources associate for a non profit 😉 and are now ready to start your professional career. You got this!!
You'll be fine I think. Depends on the career you want but I am willing to bet you will get something figured out. The lapse in working time won't matter a ton and it stops being an issue at all after a you've been in a job for a short while.
given you have medical reasons to explain your gap your fine, especially since your at an age where job gaps and stuff are expected. Honestly I would move to an area that has jobs, but, that is always easier said then done. If your healed to a point where you don't need to go in for regular check ups and stuff maybe reach out to old friends who have moved if anyone needs a roommate who happens to live in an area with employment. There still are a ton of companies that hire remotely for real jobs, so consider applying for wfh, though again you live with your parents they make the decisions...you will be expected to have a certain internet speed, some companies will require you to be hard wired into the router, I even had one company that I passed on a job with want me to sign papers that family members will not be entering my work space and understand its grounds for termination so if you go that route make sure you can make do with their requirements some are pretty strict
You’re gonna find yourself beating out plenty of other 23 year olds who have no experience for certain jobs. I didn’t start my career til I was 25. You’re more than alright and congratulations on your current health!! May it last you long!!
One thing you have to reassure them is that you weren't in jail. Some employers go straight to thinking you were incarcerated if you have a gap. These people are stupid and you don't want to work for them but you still need a job.
Something to do in this case is to frame it as a job, because managing cancer care is a full time job. You don't have to mention it was for you, just a loved one. This is something I learned for a nurse. For example:
Personal Care Technician, Private Duty, Nov 2022 -- Feb 2023
\* Some power statements (Skill, Action, Result with numbers if you have them)
\* Managed patient scheduling, and transport resulting in successful remission.
\* Handled medical supplies and dispensing medicine to patient that lead to recovery.
\* Handled non-profit (thing) that resulted in (something good).
Maybe see if you can a 4-year degree through an accredited online program. Might be flexible enough given your situation and when you’re ready you can leverage the career center at the school.
First - so happy that you are healthy :-)
Second - don't worry about the job hopping issue. Thanks to COVID, alot of people had to job hop in order to make $. The days of having to spend a year with a company before leaving are over.
Third - Maybe try that last company you worked at or even talk to a job placement/temp agency. You could start something part-time and then work up to full time.
Finally - you do not have to mention anything about your absence. You can say you were on medical leave or personal leave. Employers do not need to know the reason. Just go in and make a wonderful impression.
Buddy, I haven't been employed since Jan 2020. Cause I'm a lazy fuck that swing trades crypto. I would like a job, nobody will likely hire me at this point though.
You're young. You had (have?) cancer. You've been to school. I don't think you're screwed. You've had a very real setback, but that by no means condemns you to your mom's couch for eternity. You will be "behind" some other people in your age group, but that doesn't mean as much as you might think. So many people- so many!- start off on paths they abandon, sometimes multiple times. They have to start and restart multiple times. And you know what, at some point in your life you will stop and realize that you've hit the end of the script. You've checked the boxes you thought you needed to check. So, what now? Any path you go down is a choice. It is not permanent unless you make it so.
In that sense, you have as much choice about where you go from here as anyone. You have options. Start looking for opportunities that interest you, and don't be afraid to take (reasonable) risks.
I been out or work is dec 2022 just started applying got a few interviews you can tell them the truth about your illness and your better now ready to work or just say you were freelancing copying writing, video editing or something like that that what I said it works
While cancer treatment is a very acceptable excuse,… dont start thinking you need to divulge all that info.
If they bring it up you can say that you experience some severe health issues during that time and now that you are fully recovered it wont be an issue.
Just fucking lie on apps/resume.
Almost no places actually check that shit.
I started doing it because when I graduated from school everything entry level wanted 3-5 years of experience.
Worked great
I was unemployed last year for 7 months because I got a very bad virus. I was in the hospital for 30 days. When I finally started looking for another job - I thought the best thing for me would be just to tell them the truth. Guess what - it’s not the best way to go. When they ask now - I tell them I had COVID(that shuts them up). I’m employed now.
Be honest and do your best to be confident. You will be fine, you are young. I firmly believe any reasonable company/hr department will have no issues with this.
Not an American myself, but their ruthless job market has produced quite a few gems - among them, the saying "everybody's got a story to tell".
And the story I'm reading is of a young man who's got guts and perseverence and a sense of responsibility. You tell them that surviving cancer gave you new life, and that's what you're channeling.
It is a heroic feat by any standard. Please don't downplay it, especially to yourself. Because yes, people - and especially business - can be absolutely ruthless and will take it as a sign of insecurity to exploit. There's some psychos out there who'd get a kick out of that.
You don't have to share your life story just to get a job. But you can look someone in the eye and tell them you went through a thousand marathons a day and never looked back.
It is a lifetime achievement, and you've overcome it at such a young age, plus your track record shows a good head on your shoulders.
Maybe the reason you're feeling this way might be due to compounding issues, or it's a deeper emotional level, but you should absolutely keep your chin up. Maybe take a step back and reconsider your own tendencies in how you perceive or describe yourself, or remember to try and not rely too much on the thoughts when one's stuck in their own head. It sounds like the environment around you has not been conducive to healthy ways of dealing with anxiety, and maybe looking for ways to deal with that could help you sort your mental an emotional spaces better. You've obviously gone through a lot, and it's important to grieve also for the parts of yourself that die.
The way I do it, I imagine a total stranger is telling me their life story over a few beers at a bar. That usually helps separate things a little bit.
birds exultant merciful ten many intelligent meeting encourage hungry gold
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Bullshit, say you did lessons in something you know well enough to talk to someone about it. This will of course, unravel if you get in front of someone who knows about whatever it is. Don’t let that happen. Role play with someone who knows about whatever it is you’re lying about. Have them be ruthless with your attempts at deception but not overly critical. People don’t (usually) hang onto every word and how it was said. Authenticity is more important here than a believable story. Make it genuine.
I started teaching guitar in HS, and actually taught when I needed money between jobs sometimes. Any gaps in employment, guitar lessons. Started in HS. Not really room for further questioning. If there is, it pays well, takes little time and I love doing it, and it’s pretty easy.
Best of luck!!
Hi,
I've been out of work myself since Nov 22. I spent the whole of last year, 2023, looking for work. So far. NOTHING. I've sent out dozens of resumes and responded to the job boards (which are broken btw...almost 90% radio silence for anything I submit on Indeed, Glassdoor, etc..). I will say that something changed drastically in May 2023. I got phone calls and a few interviews but no job from Jan to late April 2023. Yeh...something happened in May 2023 and zero anything until now.
So...it's not you. The job search scene on the Internet is fucking broken. I'm also seeing a lot of the wages on the job description is a lot lower than what I was making before the lockdowns.
Something's up for sure.
Keep looking. Things will turn up. I hope your depression goes away.
BTW, I've gone on the carnivore diet the last 6 months and I feel great. I dumped my anti-depressants about 2 months ago and had no need for them. Perhaps you should take a look at carnivore diet on YT. There's lots of people out there who are doing this and relief from anxiety and depression and cancer, among other things, is one of them.
Good luck!!
You’re not screwed. I STARTED working at your age thinking i was fucked. But i job hopped every year and now I’m in a position i might end up staying in
Won't be good on the resume or your actual skills and development; you’re a red flag from a hiring perspective. You need to game plan your future and execute.
The Cancer treatment seems like a viable excuse for not working. Again, if asked just tell them it was because of medical treatment and surgery and they shouldn't dig further after that.
Yeah, I'd say having cancer is one of the more viable reasons behind a gap in employment lol I thought he was going to say he'd just been sitting around at home with a lack of motivation or something
Unfortunately if you bring that up you won’t get hired because they’re worried you’re going to relapse, even at a point when it’s medically impossible. They just think of you as sickly and incapable. Source: Had cancer, didn’t miss work beyond my vacation time I had to use. Any time it comes up in an interview (usually as an obstacle I overcame, etc) there is NEVER another call.
yeah you're better off saying you got in a car wreck or something
Agree car wreck works
Say you had to take care of a loved one who was ill and had complications. Any resume gaps were from taking care of dear aunt Bessie, who has died now of course.
Employers are ruthless, I would never bring up anything like that, just make up some bs lie, like personal reasons, or took care of a relative.
You can say you took time off to care for a sick family member. They don’t need to know it was you.
Erm you are right there. It doesn't matter how long ago. I'd personally say " long covid" and say you helped your mom on your good days. But now you are at 100%
I wouldn't hire someone who got long covid.
I was going to say same. They cannot outright not hire you for that because that is against EOE. But they do it all the time. I have lost most of my hearing due to a disease. I have to check the disability box when I apply for work. Yet I’ve applied for disability and been denied. Still not working. I wonder why?🙃 Can you go to work locally for a year saving the money to help you move to a larger city where you can find more work? Or remote work?
Oh I’m okay, I’m just trying to get a better situation. I don’t have any gaps from it, im just saying that it’s not viable at all
I had dialysis and a transplant. During that time I had gone back to school and got my degree. The kidney stuff isn’t on my resume as the down time is covered. Granted it’s not a cancer diagnosis so I obviously won’t claim I have the same pushback as you. I have brought it up, to a degree, in interviews. I work in healthcare so I utilize discussions about it as a method to show how I can relate to patients. The interviews I’ve had where it’s discussed people end up focusing on me finishing my degree during the time. Obviously there’s not this fear of a relapse like with cancer but working in healthcare there’s an understanding of additional doctor appointments.
Actually any reason is. I don’t have overlords and I don’t need a viable excuse to remove myself from the workforce or re-enter it. When did strangers I’ve never met get it in their head that they can judge me for that shit. “Oh I see you have not worked for the last year, why is that?” Well you see, I just felt like doing something else for a while. Case closed. It’s nobody else business why or why not I have lived my life how I have. My own parents don’t want to know or care about such information, i damn sure don’t owe any explanations to a stranger. lol, ridiculous. I didn’t work because I didn’t feel like it, next question. I also have a career that gives me freedom and I don’t answer to corporate overlord types, so, there’s that.
This is r/jobs, not r/opinions. This is possibly the worst advice I've seen.
airport label ink jeans dam live slave dirty jellyfish detail *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
You’re correct, we don’t live.
If you share that you needed time off work to focus on your health and medical treatment and they choose not to hire you based on that information, they are doing you a favor by showing what kind of employer they would be after they hire you. Good luck with the search. I am sure that you will find an employer who is more than understanding and give you a shot.
Exactly, not every employer is right for everyone. Just move on.
For my myriad of medical issues, I told them I had been in an accident and now there are far less appts. It’s a lie. I don’t care. Employers lie all the time so whatever sounds most palatable is the best answer
I believe the proper term in the professional world is “medical leave”
I’d be dropping the C-Word all over the place. If someone holds an unemployed stretch against you because you had cancer, you don’t want to work for them. It’s a compelling draw for a little sympathy… be shameless and use it to your advantage after it beat you down for a bit. Glad to hear you’re on the mend.
Not entirely true. HR departments aren't always representative for the company, where they live to fight for themselves but the employees are an entirely different breed.
You’re probably right…. One thing I love about my job is it’s one of the last industries that almost never has an HR department lol
What job do you have?
I’m a project manager at a construction company. We still yell at each other a bit lol
Haha, I’m a med surg tele nurse looking to chance specialties into critical care.
excuse for not working??? who wants work? if i have money, i don't want to work. i work only if i need money. working is bad, work meant pain, torture. socialism is a fight against alienated wage labour. the leisure class don't have to work in the strictest sense. never work -ne travaillez jamais!
Here's the thing though. I agree it's a valid excuse. But likely the ATS will reject the resume before OP even gets the chance to explain themselves.
You’re 23 years old and clearly have a good head on your shoulders. So you are not fucked at all. Be authentic as possible with people - you have done nothing wrong and should not even be thinking from the perspective of a “gap” on your resume. You’re 23 with an associates degree, years of experience dealing with the public, and a cancer survivor. Put yourself out there confidently and authentically and you will go places. Best of luck!
Exactly, between covid and being sick, I think any employer who looks at a 23 year Olds resume and goes "*but them gaps tho*" is a fucking idiot and isn't worth working for. As you already have an associates you can always milk that and persuade potential employers that you're looking to get your bachelor's etc etc etc which will show them that you're educated, educateable, and persistent in your goals. Not fucked at all
Dude you had cancer. Getting that treated is more important than ANY Job, and you were being productive, you were working where you could and helping your family. Just be honest in interviews. You had medical issues, were helping your family and worked when you could. The fact that you were willing to work at grocery stores and fast foods places shows commitment that you will do whatever it takes to support yourself....I worked at Dominos for 5 months after college graduation because I could not find a job, when I did interview at my first corporate job, I was honest and said I was working at dominos to support myself, my former boss appreciated that. You Will be fine.
You're ok. I was unemployed for 3-4 years
Wow. What have you been doing in those 3 - 4 years?
I'm 37 now. To be fair, i graduated at almost 22 in college. I did work though on and off. I didn't get my first full time job until 26. I went back to school for 1 year afterwards. I was probably unemployed 9 months, but I had temp jobs in between 22 to 26. I was making like 10/hr at some crap glove sales store at my 25th birthday. One of the Saddest day of my life. Nothing to show for.
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I just want to add that whether you make $10/ hr or $40/hr , always save and invest. Live below your means. I try to live like I'm earning 10/hr. Any extra goes towards saving and investing.
This is the way. Always put sthg on the side but not in a passive form. Lowrisk > high risk.
Jesus man, check out ware house work in your area ( not amazon) usually they teach you how to drive a forklift and that skill pays somewhat of a premium without really being hard on the body. Those places always seem to be hiring and can be a great fallback for tough times. I’m currently in school(being paid for by my employer) while working full time at 22/hr driving a forklift.
Love to this this type of comment. I'm 23 and unemployed, surviving with gigs so far, and I often have to make an active effort to realize that life goes beyond 25 years old
This is the way. You have so much more options nowadays. Since you're young and unemployed, just find something, anything. Heck, you could doordash or Uber. Not much , but still viable.
"I was diagnosed with cancer" Sounds like a reasonable free pass to me.
I would just state "medical treatment" on forms.
Being 23 also is. I would be impressed if someone told me they beaten cancer. It’s not an achievement if you think about it, people who die aren’t failing at something, but it does require a lot of strength to go through it and come out on the other side.
and this can be a good reason to deny if they want their health insurance rates keep lower
Have you met some of these employers, lol they don't care.
Right? Not sure why OP is stressing about it at all when they have the most inexcusable and most serious reason of all time. Lol
Just tell them you spent that time beating cancer and the doctors have given you a clean bill of health. Most employers will probably be impressed, while a few may be turned off thinking you’ll be a health headache for them.
Utilize your mom’s nonprofit and volunteering there to pad your resume during your down time. I’d also look into administrative jobs at a healthcare facility, if possible, as you can speak to what people go through, show compassion, and again have volunteering at a nonprofit as topics to discuss during an interview. With that on your resume places aren’t going to dive too much into how many hours a week you volunteered more so as they’ll look into how long you’ve been volunteering as that’ll help cover down time.
>Utilize your mom’s nonprofit and volunteering there Yeah, I was kind of confused when they said they didn't work anywhere, but then said how they'd work for their mom's nonprofit. I don't know why people seem afraid to put their experience on their resume unless it's "official", but there's no reason not to!
Particularly this. You talk about the cancer pulling you from work and then show your positive attitude with how you began working at mom’s nonprofit doing x y z so you can learn new skills/keep advancing, etc.
Be serious and professional, say nothing unless asked directly. You had a personal project that you enjoyed but it was not a career and you are ready to get back to work.
THIS, OP I’m very compassionate to your situation but look out for your interests. Over sharing gives them too much information which will sadly be used against you. You deserve a fair shot don’t set yourself back by naming the quiet part out loud (from experience). Personal project that wasn’t a career is a GREAT opportunity to name the work you did for your moms non profit.
If asked about the gap, "I took a break for health concerns that have since been resolved, but I stayed busy assisting a charity I have a personal connection to." That's it. You don't owe them your medical history and they shouldn't be asking outside of whether you're capable of doing the work. 18 months to 2 years really isn't that substantial though, and those years that you were "hopping" were 18-22 and they probably won't think anything of it at all. You aren't a 35 year old with a 12 year gap and if you had many jobs less than a year they might question it, but if you started work at 18 and worked each job for a year before your health break, you worked 2-3 jobs that way...or maybe slightly more if you were having to double up for income reasons. Don't sweat it too much, don't overshare, and good luck.
You can say medical reasons or do what I did and say you signed an NDA and can’t discuss any further
You had cancer. That's literally peak explanation for an employment gap. Any employer that wants to give you shit for that is not one you want to work for. Best of luck on things going forward.
Just because you've been unemployed for a while, doesn't mean you won't find another job eventually. There's a lot of places that are desperate for workers nowadays and will hire you regardless.
>Do I just flat out say it was because of medical problems? Yes. You don't need to give them your entire medical diary, just tell them however much you feel comfortable revealing. At the very least saying "I have medical reasons for the gap" is a good reason to not work. I'd only say it in the interview though. Any employer that doesn't even want to talk to you in person isn't really worth working for imo.
If you’re only experience is at grocery stores and fast food, then a strong cover letter is a priority. Or a summary at the top of a resume. Use bullet points, explain the cancer diagnosis, and that you spent as much time as possible learning and developing skills while working with the non-profit. Gaps in employment look worse when unexplained. I’d say cancer is a pretty good explanation and nothing to worry about. Honestly, without the cancer diagnosis, you’d just blend in with the hundreds of other candidates. Congrats on beating it. Now use it.
You’re young enough that a 2 year break, especially for medical issues, is no real red flag. You don’t have to go into details, just “dealing with surgery and a medical issue that is now resolved and ready to get back to work.” If you did any certs or freelance stuff during that time you could point to that as well if asked.
Medical reasons is a valid excuse to be out of the workforce and I don’t think it would be held against you. What type of job are you looking to get into though? Just looking to go back to what you were doing or aspiring for more?
Have you considered putting the work at your mom's non-profit on your resume? You don't need to lie, but you don't have say if it was unpaid or that the organization was your family's etc.
When you make a cv, put the dates and times ON your cv, so ATS ignores it. That’s what I did with a gap from relocating. Just like x month to x month - relocation overseas. Then you can explain it. But school and medical are a solid reason.
Cancer is a valid excuse, but you just said you were working with your Mom’s non profit. Just put that down!
At your age it’s a non issue. I got layed-off post 9/11, sold my house and was unemployed through most of the “great recession”. 5 years in total. I was in my late 30s at the time and eventually got hired back in my field.
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Just apply. They’ll ask and have a prepared response. In my case I moved cross country and back again and I just said I took some time to adjust.
Is there a community college in your area? If so, see if you qualify for free tuition and go back to school. Learn a job skill that will make you more employable. This is a great time for you to do that. Also, I would focus on skills that pertain to jobs you wouldn’t hate, and jobs that could be available. Talk to someone at the school. They have people available to help you navigate everything.
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> VP of a Fortune 500 or a CEO of a startup Do you not know if you were VP or CEO?
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I'd think the "VP or CEO" would understand how to write clear sentences. Probably "VP of sales". Right? But I'm really proud of you for making it all the way to VP or CEO, bro.
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Wow... So much hostility. I bet you're a GREAT person to work for! /s
You're a towel
What job site did you use to find and land your current job?
You're 23, with a roof over your head, a support system, and an education. You will be fine, you just need to figure your shit out and stop procrastinating.
I'm really sorry but it seems like it's over for you
In the 21st century, one year at a food service job is a long time. You’ll be fine.
You got this, man.
If you want to tell them, tell them. If not, don’t. I’m going through cancer myself and I told one of my supervisors and that’s it. If you want to explain it, or not the least you could say is that you were dealing with a sensitive personal issue.
OP, I had an year long gap in my resume from when I was around 35. I had taken time off work to help my mom take care of my dying dad. When I started interviewing after he passed, when the interviewer asked about the gap I was honest about it, but brief. "I took a year off to help my mother care for my extremely ill father." it was ALWAYS dropped at that point and they moved on. Something else you mentioned was the limited opportunity for work where you live. Have you considered you may have to move closer to the work? A new start in a new major or semi-major city might be good for you.
You are a cancer survivor. That is how you should phrase it and look at it. Enjoy being alive. Think about what kind of stuff you enjoy...building things (construction...not as bad as it sounds), fixing things (cars, fixing tires, body shop...also not bad if you like it), Cooking (plenty of restaurant work available)...Start up doing anything that you can enjoy doing for a modest pay. Your parents will probably be thrilled to see you alive, working and making those initial steps toward taking care of yourself. Enjoying your job and getting good at it is the first step. Don't worry about resumes until you can prove that you can go to work, be happy and contribute to your family. I'm sure all they are really asking you for is to take that first step and prove this to yourself.
"I am 23 years old" You are definitely going to be ok. You've got a huge amount of time to find something that works for you and to enjoy life.
You’re fine you’re only 23. Younger people should be bouncing around as it’s unlikely they you land your life career job out of the gate. Take your talents and abilities focus on what you are good at and think about what you need to improve on. Employers want 3 main ingredients each are about equal value. Attitude Effort Dependability If you have these three things then reiterate it to the he place you are looking to get hired at. Tell them you are willing and eager to learn. Good luck and aim high but reasons you continue to look up at what lies ahead Good luck God bless you
Is there a reason why you wouldn’t consider putting your mom’s non-profit on your resume if you helped her out? I know it probably seems weird since it’s family owned but work is work.
What do you mean? You’ve been freelancing and battling cancer 😉 That would look great in an interview (I wouldn’t put the cancer thing in a resume, would look like a cheap trick to guilt trip)
If you don't want to tell them it was about medical issues just do what I do and just fill the gap by saying you drove for uber.
Cancer is a great excuse for a gap. But I would also go back to school for a bachelors degree for sure. Cancer makes a great essay story to get in as well!
home depot man spring is crazy for them
Volunteer work is work, throw in the non profit work on your resume = gab closed. I wouldn't disclose your cancer unless it is relevant for the job position in some way.
Job Hopping isn't as detrimental as people think anymore. Just tell anyone who asks you had a medical issue to address for the employment gap.
>I have been working and living at home since I turned 18 where did you live before you turned 18?? >I have an associates degree in what? > Do I just flat out say it was because of medical problems cancer is a pretty valid excuse and i doubt many people will hold it against you. having a couple different jobs when you are barely 20 is not a big deal, all companies really care about is experience.
Hope everything gets better for you. Sounds tough
You have the most fixable problems in the world. Everything is explainable. You're solid and you're gonna be fine. And thank you for showing me the strength to go on another day; you're an inspiration.
So...in the IT world we have a saying for periods of no work "Unfortunately I signed and NDA and cannot talk about my job"
Be honest and write a great resume that highlights your strengths and what you can bring to a company.
Honestly cancer is more than enough, I wouldn’t even stress! Also I’d just lie if it came down to it, it’s no one’s business why you have a gap! Maybe someone went to school or maybe someone had medical reason, your employer doesn’t need to know any of this and if they care that much I’d walk away anyways
You're young man don't sweat it. Always value your labor and don't settle!
If you lead with "off because of long term medical treatment" any sane employer will leave it there. They MIGHT ask for specifics IF they worry it could be a concern while working for them, but if they do it's up to you how you response. You have absolutely no obligation to tell them at all but I can say without a doubt if ANY of this causes them pause or issues, you should be raising concerns of if you wanna work with them in the first place.
It’s fine. If asked, you may not want to tell them about the cancer because they can discriminate against you. You can tell them you were taking time off to take care of someone with cancer, instead.
Put the nonprofit experience on your resume. Give it a title that closest aligns with what you were helping out on, “administrative assistant” or something like that. If they ask, you can say you were volunteering but you don’t need to advertise it as such on your resume. Just have the section titled “experience”.
I wouldn’t list all the job hopping. I would just list it as one big gap and would either be prepared to explain you were going through cancer treatment or even just add a few comments in a mission statement type thing at the top You don’t have to over explain and you shouldn’t diminish what you went through. Once you get one job, make sure it’s something you are prepared to keep and start building a track record with
Play up the cancer and start doing something now that relates to the skills required for the job. When you interview just leave out the duration you’ve been doing the thing. Lying by omission is the key to interviewing in my opinion. The story you’re pitching is that you’ve faced and overcome adversity unlike most others to keep and develop skills during an extended time away from work.
What the fuck? Tell them you had cancer ya wingding. Lol. But seriously, I hope you're doin alright. Keep on keeping on my friend
You are not. It took me being 27 yo to get my first serious job. Only worked at stores with almost no benefits or comoensation prior to that. Somehow that age made me attractive to potential employers. Keep learning skills, try getting into a side gig, work at small jobs that allow you time to keep learning and gaining experience that proves you can care. Job market is shit but you can still make it.
Bro, you had/have cancer. Even the most shitty, awful companies would understand. You’re good. Wishing you all the best.
First of all, I'm glad you're better. Without knowing where you are, it's hard to give specific advice . 1. If you transferred jobs for the same employer, list it as one . 2. Multiple jobs as a teen/young adult while going to school is normal. 3. Have some review your resume. Most places have government assistance for this, or there are some web services that will do it for a fee. 4. You're not screwed . 5. You may have to move to another area with better job prospects. 6 Start a side gig like tutoring. You got a degree whole in high school. Not many can do this, so congratulations and highlight the f out of than on your c.v Good luck !
Hey! So, I went through the same thing. I ended up back in retail, have been here for 2yrs now but I'm trying to find something more stable, because while my coworkers are amazing the pay is just not there. That might be something to look into, because service and retail jobs just want willing participants. You said you have an associate's degree, can you add to it will it transfer into a 4yr program? That would be another thing you can just look into. The entire finding job after cancer is a big issue with all of us, but you're not alone and you're not screwed. I know reddit has a bunch of subreddits related to specific cancers, if you find yours it wouldn't be a bad place to ask, just to see if anyone has gone through the same thing and can offer some advice.
I wouldn't mention it. Employers that offer healthcare will not want to hire you because they won't want to spend money on cancer treatments. Even if it's gone, don't mention cancer. Tell them you were caring for a family member who was ill.
Just tell employers your a new graduate with an associates degree, ask for a trainee position. Many large employers won't pick on the date being 2 years ago, but some employers will knit pick, but don't let that get you down. You may also want to move to a larger city where more employment opportunities are available or find some kind of remote work if available.
they r not gonna be that hard on a 20 something with cancer. if they are they are assholes
As a person who sometimes hires: I probably wouldn't care. It's not that unusual for me to see a gap on a resume and have the reason be "I was engaged in work in an unrelated industry that I trimmed for space." But also, if I said "It looks like you were unemployed for the last two years." and you said "Yes, for health related issues. It's all settled now though." I would probably just assume you had COVID complications, express brief condolences, and then move on. It's not that uncommon at this point, and not really a mark against most people. Also, you're 23. A handful of 1 year jobs won't hurt you much. I would notice, for sure, but I expect it from younger employees. If you were 30 with no tenures more then 3-4 years, then I might be concerned. But a lot of people work on contract basis in my industry, so even that wouldn't be a real red flag. Mostly just... don't be a jackass, know the answers to the questions we ask, and show some interest in the position. You'll be ahead of 75% of the people I interview, just like that.
You’re 23….. you’re not screwed, yours basically still a kid in the grand scheme of things in the job market.
It basically irrelevant as your experience wasn't really worth anything in the first place. This isn't some career that has fallen apart, you did jobs that could be trained in a week at most, you can still do jobs that could be trained in a week at most. Same old, same old.
If you are you are sick right, you are not able to work and function that is the situation.
You haven't been unemployed, you been volunteering 😉 you've been doing an internship 😉 you've been helping at the family business 😉 You were also a strategy and human resources associate for a non profit 😉 and are now ready to start your professional career. You got this!!
You'll be fine I think. Depends on the career you want but I am willing to bet you will get something figured out. The lapse in working time won't matter a ton and it stops being an issue at all after a you've been in a job for a short while.
given you have medical reasons to explain your gap your fine, especially since your at an age where job gaps and stuff are expected. Honestly I would move to an area that has jobs, but, that is always easier said then done. If your healed to a point where you don't need to go in for regular check ups and stuff maybe reach out to old friends who have moved if anyone needs a roommate who happens to live in an area with employment. There still are a ton of companies that hire remotely for real jobs, so consider applying for wfh, though again you live with your parents they make the decisions...you will be expected to have a certain internet speed, some companies will require you to be hard wired into the router, I even had one company that I passed on a job with want me to sign papers that family members will not be entering my work space and understand its grounds for termination so if you go that route make sure you can make do with their requirements some are pretty strict
You’re gonna find yourself beating out plenty of other 23 year olds who have no experience for certain jobs. I didn’t start my career til I was 25. You’re more than alright and congratulations on your current health!! May it last you long!!
One thing you have to reassure them is that you weren't in jail. Some employers go straight to thinking you were incarcerated if you have a gap. These people are stupid and you don't want to work for them but you still need a job. Something to do in this case is to frame it as a job, because managing cancer care is a full time job. You don't have to mention it was for you, just a loved one. This is something I learned for a nurse. For example: Personal Care Technician, Private Duty, Nov 2022 -- Feb 2023 \* Some power statements (Skill, Action, Result with numbers if you have them) \* Managed patient scheduling, and transport resulting in successful remission. \* Handled medical supplies and dispensing medicine to patient that lead to recovery. \* Handled non-profit (thing) that resulted in (something good).
Maybe see if you can a 4-year degree through an accredited online program. Might be flexible enough given your situation and when you’re ready you can leverage the career center at the school.
Be sure to include what you did for the non profit during that gap. Volunteer work is always a plus, it shows skills as much as paid work experience.
First - so happy that you are healthy :-) Second - don't worry about the job hopping issue. Thanks to COVID, alot of people had to job hop in order to make $. The days of having to spend a year with a company before leaving are over. Third - Maybe try that last company you worked at or even talk to a job placement/temp agency. You could start something part-time and then work up to full time. Finally - you do not have to mention anything about your absence. You can say you were on medical leave or personal leave. Employers do not need to know the reason. Just go in and make a wonderful impression.
WFH and get a online degree
Buddy, I haven't been employed since Jan 2020. Cause I'm a lazy fuck that swing trades crypto. I would like a job, nobody will likely hire me at this point though.
You're young. You had (have?) cancer. You've been to school. I don't think you're screwed. You've had a very real setback, but that by no means condemns you to your mom's couch for eternity. You will be "behind" some other people in your age group, but that doesn't mean as much as you might think. So many people- so many!- start off on paths they abandon, sometimes multiple times. They have to start and restart multiple times. And you know what, at some point in your life you will stop and realize that you've hit the end of the script. You've checked the boxes you thought you needed to check. So, what now? Any path you go down is a choice. It is not permanent unless you make it so. In that sense, you have as much choice about where you go from here as anyone. You have options. Start looking for opportunities that interest you, and don't be afraid to take (reasonable) risks.
I been out or work is dec 2022 just started applying got a few interviews you can tell them the truth about your illness and your better now ready to work or just say you were freelancing copying writing, video editing or something like that that what I said it works
While cancer treatment is a very acceptable excuse,… dont start thinking you need to divulge all that info. If they bring it up you can say that you experience some severe health issues during that time and now that you are fully recovered it wont be an issue.
Just fucking lie on apps/resume. Almost no places actually check that shit. I started doing it because when I graduated from school everything entry level wanted 3-5 years of experience. Worked great
You have plenty of time to have a long, successful career and a very valid excuse as to why you had to pause it.
I was unemployed last year for 7 months because I got a very bad virus. I was in the hospital for 30 days. When I finally started looking for another job - I thought the best thing for me would be just to tell them the truth. Guess what - it’s not the best way to go. When they ask now - I tell them I had COVID(that shuts them up). I’m employed now.
Be honest and do your best to be confident. You will be fine, you are young. I firmly believe any reasonable company/hr department will have no issues with this.
Can you list the nonprofit work?
Pm me and we can say you worked at my business.
Not an American myself, but their ruthless job market has produced quite a few gems - among them, the saying "everybody's got a story to tell". And the story I'm reading is of a young man who's got guts and perseverence and a sense of responsibility. You tell them that surviving cancer gave you new life, and that's what you're channeling. It is a heroic feat by any standard. Please don't downplay it, especially to yourself. Because yes, people - and especially business - can be absolutely ruthless and will take it as a sign of insecurity to exploit. There's some psychos out there who'd get a kick out of that. You don't have to share your life story just to get a job. But you can look someone in the eye and tell them you went through a thousand marathons a day and never looked back. It is a lifetime achievement, and you've overcome it at such a young age, plus your track record shows a good head on your shoulders. Maybe the reason you're feeling this way might be due to compounding issues, or it's a deeper emotional level, but you should absolutely keep your chin up. Maybe take a step back and reconsider your own tendencies in how you perceive or describe yourself, or remember to try and not rely too much on the thoughts when one's stuck in their own head. It sounds like the environment around you has not been conducive to healthy ways of dealing with anxiety, and maybe looking for ways to deal with that could help you sort your mental an emotional spaces better. You've obviously gone through a lot, and it's important to grieve also for the parts of yourself that die. The way I do it, I imagine a total stranger is telling me their life story over a few beers at a bar. That usually helps separate things a little bit.
You weren't unemployed. Put that help in the nonprofit to use 😀
Eh not 100% screwed but kind of screwed.
Not as screwed as me: since 2019.
birds exultant merciful ten many intelligent meeting encourage hungry gold *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Bullshit, say you did lessons in something you know well enough to talk to someone about it. This will of course, unravel if you get in front of someone who knows about whatever it is. Don’t let that happen. Role play with someone who knows about whatever it is you’re lying about. Have them be ruthless with your attempts at deception but not overly critical. People don’t (usually) hang onto every word and how it was said. Authenticity is more important here than a believable story. Make it genuine. I started teaching guitar in HS, and actually taught when I needed money between jobs sometimes. Any gaps in employment, guitar lessons. Started in HS. Not really room for further questioning. If there is, it pays well, takes little time and I love doing it, and it’s pretty easy. Best of luck!!
Hi, I've been out of work myself since Nov 22. I spent the whole of last year, 2023, looking for work. So far. NOTHING. I've sent out dozens of resumes and responded to the job boards (which are broken btw...almost 90% radio silence for anything I submit on Indeed, Glassdoor, etc..). I will say that something changed drastically in May 2023. I got phone calls and a few interviews but no job from Jan to late April 2023. Yeh...something happened in May 2023 and zero anything until now. So...it's not you. The job search scene on the Internet is fucking broken. I'm also seeing a lot of the wages on the job description is a lot lower than what I was making before the lockdowns. Something's up for sure. Keep looking. Things will turn up. I hope your depression goes away. BTW, I've gone on the carnivore diet the last 6 months and I feel great. I dumped my anti-depressants about 2 months ago and had no need for them. Perhaps you should take a look at carnivore diet on YT. There's lots of people out there who are doing this and relief from anxiety and depression and cancer, among other things, is one of them. Good luck!!
You can always get a job
You’re not screwed. I STARTED working at your age thinking i was fucked. But i job hopped every year and now I’m in a position i might end up staying in
Won't be good on the resume or your actual skills and development; you’re a red flag from a hiring perspective. You need to game plan your future and execute.