There are lots of things we don’t want to talk about.? Some, we don’t have to.? Others are quite impossible to hide.? And hiding them makes them worse.?? (Over-sharing also makes them worse.? Don’t start talking about the gruesome details, either, but I trust you didn’t want to head down that path.)

For instance, if your resume shows a 10 year gap in employment, I’m going to ask why.? If you hem and haw, I’m going to assume something terrible, because otherwise you’d tell me.? Speaking up about the truth can never be as bad as what the recruiter’s imagination can come up with.? So, let’s be honest.

This is not without its problems, of course.? Revealing medical problems can scare an employer away.? But, if all you’ve done in the past 10 years is be sick, that’s all you’ve got.

If you have no restrictions on you? now, state that very clearly.? “I was ill for a long time, but I am back to 100%, with? no restrictions on me.”? They are going to be wondering it anyway.? If you do have limitations, let those be known as well, because the 10 year gap will have people thinking the worst.

A common question in job interviews is “tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome.”? Well, right now, put together a good, solid answer to that question.? You’ve overcome a major (I presume–no one is out of work for 10 years because of a head cold) illness.? Be able to speak about that challenges you faced and how you overcame them.? This is not about how your doctor finally figured things out, but how you overcame the challenges.

Unless you were hospitalized for the entire time period, you’ve done other things.? Make sure you include them.? For instance, have you led a book group, put together a support group for people similarly affected, acted as class parent for your child’s class, taught a Sunday school class, grown a garden, worked on the neighborhood watch committee or anything else?? Honestly, anything is better than nothing.

Use your illness to your advantage.? Is there an advocacy group or a non-profit that deals with your specific situation?? Someone who has actually had that particular illness can be a valuable asset to such a group.? But, they are not going to hire you just because you had that illness.? You have to be able to show that you will be a valuable member of the team.

So, now would not be a bad time to go back to school.? Regardless of what your previous education and background is, you’ve been out of the working world for 10 years.? Things have changed.? If you already have a college degree, try getting a certificate that relates to the field you want to go into.? Join the professional society for your career area.? If you lack a college degree, it’s not too late to enroll.

Yes, enrolling at the local community college won’t get you a job immediately, but it will help employers to see that you are moving forward with your life.? It will also give you something to put on your resume.

Go and speak with the local temporary agencies.? This is the time when you should be willing to take any job that you are capable of doing.? You can frequently get jobs as a temp that you would not be qualified to take in a “permanent” position.? Companies are less concerned about getting the right person for a 6 week stint then they are about getting a person who can do the job.? (Culture, for instance, becomes less important, because they aren’t expecting you to stay.? Also, you’re easier to terminate, so if it doesn’t work out, it’s no skin off their noses.)

Of course, you’re back in the game during a period of high unemployment.? This will make it more difficult.? It means that you need to work even harder.? Since you are unemployed right now, go out and volunteer for something.? It will help build your resume and will also allow you to experience a working environment, which you’ve been out of for 10 years.

It’s not an easy path you’re on, but it can be overcome.? Don’t give up.? Make a real effort to get as much experience as you can while you are looking for work.? And,? congratulations on overcoming your illness.? Don’t forget that that’s a major success right there.

Photo by Foxtongue, Flickr cc 2.0

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