UKking

On my resume I only have my employment up to 2006. (Which is the last company I have worked for) The last two years I have had a couple of temp type jobs, and some medical problems which have been completely resolved.

A few possible new employers are asking me what I have been doing with myself for the last two years.

Should I say just temp jobs?
Or that I had some medical problems?
Or both?

Also, if I say temp jobs, they weren't with actual companies. They were more jobs for friends, or friends of friends that needed some light handyman type of work done.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

shakran

Be honest.

genuinegirly

Don't have a 2 year gap on your resume. Mention something. Any applicable volunteering? You could always just say "Handyman" with the timeframe and list a few of your skills (dry wall, plumbing, electrical, what-not).

Include in your list of references one from your handyman work. Friends that have seen you in a hard-working, professional light make great references.

If they ask why you chose to be a handyman for the past two years, then you can mention you had some health concerns that were preventing you from keeping a regular schedule. Be sure to say that your health concerns have been resolved.

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thingstodo

If nothing else say you were free-lancing. Gaps beg questions and it's better to note them up front.

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Grancey

Do NOT say you had medical problems.

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lotsofmagnets

mmm i agree about perhaps avoiding mentioning medical conditions unless neccassary. do try to fill the 2 year gap and try to be consistant, not making it sound like you jumped around a lot.

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SabrinaFair

Definitely put the temp work on there--gaps in ones resume are never a good thing, and it IS work experience, even if you weren't formally employed by a company.

I would not put health problems on there; that is something to be disclosed in an interview, not on your resume.

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dlish

its easy

just so you're not lying (albeit stretching or twisting the truth) say you were looking after a family member who was ill and needed to take time off.

for work purposes, it'll be hard to get a job with a company without them thinking of you as a liability of some sort - ie. you need further time off, or that they will have to foot the bill for some medical costs etc. i'd avoid mentioning it as being you.

i wouldnt lie, but they dont have to know the full truth. especially if you really are over your illness. maybe say you took temp jobs while you minded an ill family memberto health.

just be weary of any questions directed at you as to whether the sick person is you though

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The_Jazz

You were "self-employed" as a handyman for those 2 years. If they ask for references or jobs, give them the list of your friends. As Grancey said, do NOT mention medical problems unless it was something like an auto accident or a fall, and even then, I don't think it's a particularly good idea.

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genuinegirly

Dlish, why did it let you post twice in a row without an auto-merge? That's odd.

Jazz, Magnets, Grancy, and Dlish have it right - it would be best to avoid mentioning an illness altogether.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

ally_cat

List the temp work. Not only does it fill the gaps, it gives you a way to justify using the friends you worked for as references, and they're sure to have good things to say.

Lindy

On my resume, I fill the couple of years before I started grad school by saying that I was traveling, doing research in my field of interest (Regional Econometrics) while looking for a grad school. That I was working my way around the country, that I would stop and work for a while whenever I needed the money, or found a good opportunity. That I had initiative and was resourceful.
This also allowed me to avoid mentioning that I was working my way around the country for two years as a stripper.

Lindy

Seriously, I don't know your age, but it is not at all uncommon for young people to take a hiatus from work, just to travel.