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If you are like me with huge employment gaps in your resume then explaining it to during an interview or to a prospective employer can be a difficult task. What should I say? Should I tell them the real thing or make up some excuse like health,family etc..? Wrestling with these questions? Me too, and here what I have decided to do and hopefully it will help you navigate through similar situation.

I am applying to graduate school for Fall 2008 and hope to get teaching assistantship and I have huge employment gaps. I got my MBA in 2005 and since then I have not had a single steady "job", so what to do about the 3 year gap?

#Explain to them honestly what happened, do not make up excuse or stories. They find out one eventually and you could lose job, credibility for the mistake. In my case, I will explain them that during those three years i did not sit on my couch watching TV and eating ice cream..I worked very hard to start my freelance writing career. I will show them my article clips and websites which have my articles.

#If you were stay at home mom, be proud and tell them as it is. You see very often women don't get credit for all the work they do by the baby and around house. Tell them all that you do during the course of normal day and how it shows that you have skills to handle the workplace and the job. If you can manage with a wailing two year old you will breeze through a normal work day.For sure.

#What about criminal history or jail time..? Well well so you have skeletons in closet.Being honest is the only way to deal with it. Explain what happened, take responsibility and yes don't blame "fate" or "bad luck". You did what you did, and it is past now.Show them the new and improved, mature you and ask for the job showing them your skills and experience.It will take time but you have to keep trying and don't ever think of breaking the law again.

#If the gap is because of health, family reasons, explain in matter of fact way, do not present yourself as this "o poor girl/man" way. You want to inspire trust and confidence and get a JOB not some charity. SO be strong.

Lastly, remember that a good job is waiting for you.Just need to be positive and keep trying.Having gaps in resume is not THE END..just a new beginning.

Learn more about this author, Bhumika Ghimire.
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