"You're pathetic, you live with your parents!"

[protege]

It's important to be able to explain gaps in your employment, or in your case, why you have never been employed.

I second that. My company does look at gaps in employment history. A few months is no big deal. Simply put, "shit happens." But a couple of years? Seeing that, makes people wonder "was this person in jail?" and usually makes us *not* want to hire someone. I mean really, what the hell were they doing all that time? Rather than contemplate possible reasons, those resumes get dumped into the bottom of the call-back pile.

[telecom_goddess]

I second that. My company does look at gaps in employment history. A few months is no big deal. Simply put, "shit happens." But a couple of years? Seeing that, makes people wonder "was this person in jail?" and usually makes us *not* want to hire someone. I mean really, what the hell were they doing all that time? Rather than contemplate possible reasons, those resumes get dumped into the bottom of the call-back pile.

Well I have a really good employment history, but there have been gaps of a couple of years where I stayed home while my boyfriend supported us. Those were the days . Just cause there is a gap doesn't mean someone was in jail!

[jackfaire]

I mean really, what the hell were they doing all that time? Rather than contemplate possible reasons, those resumes get dumped into the bottom of the call-back pile.

Recovering from the nervous mental breakdown brought on by my divorce and my dad dying.

[protege]

Just cause there is a gap doesn't mean someone was in jail!

I know it doesn't, that was just an example. But, it does throw up a red flag where I work.

[guywithashovel]

Gaps in employment won't ruin your chances of getting a job. I didn't mean to imply that. However, you do need to be able to explain them well in interviews.

For example, when I interviewed for my current job, I had been unemployed for almost nine months. My aforementioned uncle helped me explain that in a manner that sounded very reasonable and professional. He told me to emphasize the volunteer work I had been doing during my unemployment and to point out that I had been helping my grandmother who'd had some health issues over the year. Granted, that last part was a bit of a stretch. My grandmother HAS had some health issues, and I have been helping her out, but she hasn't been in a position where she needed someone around to help her. Still, it was a good thing to say in the interview.

Rageaholic should probably emphasize that she has been busy going to school while not working. The part about it being part-time school should probably be left out (remember, employers usually won't find out things like that unless you tell them . . . it's okay to let on like you've been going full time). Also, she/he (not sure if OP is male or female, sorry), could also talk about helping out parents or a relative for health reasons or whatever reasons, even if it isn't the whole truth or is an exaggeration of the truth.

[Rageaholic]

Gaps in employment won't ruin your chances of getting a job. I didn't mean to imply that. However, you do need to be able to explain them well in interviews.

For example, when I interviewed for my current job, I had been unemployed for almost nine months. My aforementioned uncle helped me explain that in a manner that sounded very reasonable and professional. He told me to emphasize the volunteer work I had been doing during my unemployment and to point out that I had been helping my grandmother who'd had some health issues over the year. Granted, that last part was a bit of a stretch. My grandmother HAS had some health issues, and I have been helping her out, but she hasn't been in a position where she needed someone around to help her. Still, it was a good thing to say in the interview.

Rageaholic should probably emphasize that she has been busy going to school while not working. The part about it being part-time school should probably be left out (remember, employers usually won't find out things like that unless you tell them . . . it's okay to let on like you've been going full time). Also, she/he (not sure if OP is male or female, sorry), could also talk about helping out parents or a relative for health reasons or whatever reasons, even if it isn't the whole truth or is an exaggeration of the truth.

I'm a guy lol.

Thanks for the tips though. Since I am starting to look for work again, this will definately be helpful on the applications. I usually hate lying, but I can BS if I have to, just as long as I don't get caught off guard by trick questions.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I'm a guy lol.

Thanks for the tips though. Since I am starting to look for work again, this will definately be helpful on the applications. I usually hate lying, but I can BS if I have to, just as long as I don't get caught off guard by trick questions.

How much dirt can you remove from a 9X10X5 hole? If a plane crashes on the border between Virginia and West Virginia, where do you bury the survivors? Name the cooles Jonas Brother?

IMO stretching and partial omission of exhausting detail is all good and well, but if asked a direct question, lying isn't advisable...

[Gravekeeper]

Eeeh, I'm a bit torn on this one. I have no wish to come across as putting you down. But I personally could not contemplate living the life you do. I was working since I was 12 and out of the house by 18. Not because my parents threw me out but because it was time to move on and grow up.

Part of growing up and living an adult life is learning to deal with said life. Simple as that. I learned more about life, being an adult and myself in the first couple years I lived alone and supported myself then I ever had before or since. To me that knowledge and experience is vital for a person, frankly.

Children just aren't meant to live with their parents after a certain point, I don't think its healthy for either party to be honest.

I don't wish to put you down in any way, but I honestly believe you're doing yourself a disservice. Even having your own place that your parents paid the rent on would be preferable. At least you would be on your own and responsible for maintaining the basics of your own adult life and home. You need that space, in more ways then one, to truly grow up.

[Rageaholic]

Gravekeeper: All I gotta say is different strokes for different folks man.

[AdminAssistant]

Children just aren't meant to live with their parents after a certain point, I don't think its healthy for either party to be honest.

I concur. When I went to college, I may have moved in with my sister (at first)...but at least I moved out. When she got married I went over to the dorms. Sure it sucked at times, but I can't imagine going through college living under my parents' roof. How are you supposed to stay out at parties too late, drink a little too much, have sex, stay up 'til 3 am gossiping with your roomie at your parents' house? College isn't just about the classes (although the classes are important, of course. )

[guywithashovel]

I concur. When I went to college, I may have moved in with my sister (at first)...but at least I moved out. When she got married I went over to the dorms. Sure it sucked at times, but I can't imagine going through college living under my parents' roof. How are you supposed to stay out at parties too late, drink a little too much, have sex, stay up 'til 3 am gossiping with your roomie at your parents' house? College isn't just about the classes (although the classes are important, of course. )

I lived at home while I went to college, and looking back, I think I would have enjoyed myself a lot more had I moved out and gone away to college. There were times during my college years when my parents almost drove me completely nuts. To be fair, though, it usually wasn't too bad when my dad was still working and was usually gone in the evenings. Once he retired, though, it got pretty unbearable, since he's a pretty big control freak (hate to say that, but it's true). Fortunately, I soon went to grad school and moved out.

[McDreidel09]

How are you supposed to stay out at parties too late, drink a little too much, have sex, stay up 'til 3 am gossiping with your roomie at your parents' house? College isn't just about the classes (although the classes are important, of course. )

How did you know my New Year's Resolution?

I mean...*ahem* I am too young for booze. Underage drinking is bad m'kay? *shifty eyes*

[Vagabond]

*blink blink*
You're in college and underage?
I thought there was that universal rule about college and alcohol? Hell, my roomie actually bought mine when I was in college.
Actually, the university had a bar that was owned and operated by students, and they only cared that you attempted to fake an ID.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

*blink blink*
You're in college and underage?
I thought there was that universal rule about college and alcohol? Hell, my roomie actually bought mine when I was in college.
Actually, the university had a bar that was owned and operated by students, and they only cared that you attempted to fake an ID.

I finished highschool two weeks after my 18th birthday, and enrolled in a walking-distance community college with haste, so yeah, about the time I end my 3rd year of higher education (assuming I don't snap and throttle a beatnick to death) I'll be able to drink. And to be honest, I wouldn't want most of these people to be drunk around me anyways...

[Vagabond]

You don't have to be drunk around them.
My roomie and I holed up in our room and drank there most of the time. Alot of my 2nd year of college was spent drinking and watching Final Fantasy ummmm (insert roman numerals here) the one with Sephiroth.
Very bizarre year that one was... but that's another story.