CV advice - accounting for 'career' break

[bassy]

I never put exact dates on my CV - just a generic year eg.
2005 Contract 1
2005 - 2007 Contract 2
etc
even if Contract 1 only took 1 month and Contract 2 finished in Jan 2007.

Been doing it like this now for about 6 years and I dont think anyone has ever asked for actual months and exact dates.

[expat]

I had a pimp like that the other day, grilling me about what I had been doing, saying it made me look lazy

Eff me! Some of these guys are not grasping the point of contracting: job wants doing, I can do it, cross my palm with... sorted.

As for inquiries about the rest of my life, none of your business. Unsolicited comments deducing character flaws from failing to spend 100% of your time doing what the pimp sells, doubly so.

[gadgetman]

I was in exactly the same situation and took over 2 years out. I just put a couple of lines in the CV about taking time out to do property development. I think its bad to have any kind of unexplained gap.

Its been mentioned a few times at interview and I told the truth - I'd been made redundant 3 times in a row and wanted to take a time out.

I decided it would be far easier to get back in to IT as a permie, a grade or two lower than I left the industry at and that proved the case. I think prospective (contract) employers might be concerned about the time away from the coal face; they expect you to hit the ground running. Permie positions tend not to be so demanding. YMMV.

Anyway after a year or so I went back contracting and haven't looked back.

Hmm, just realised the date this was posted!

[oracleslave]

been made redundant 3 times in a row

Were you gutted or was it actually quite profitable?

[gadgetman]

Not as profitable as I'd have liked - there were too many people watching property ladder!

A large proportion of my time was spent gutting and doing up a small terraced house which has been rented out ever since (4 years ago). It pays for itself and there's a good wedge of equity in it now. I see it as my pension scheme.

I'd have liked to have repeated it but as I said it was hard to find properties with sufficient potential.

Were you gutted or was it actually quite profitable?

[up4it]

Don't tell them you were in prison whatever you do!!!

[Emily]

In terms of accounting for the break on your CV I would say 100% (or 110% if I was an Apprentice) that you should mention the break on your CV. My advice on what to put would be to avoid saying something like 'Project Managing developing properties' and just put that you took time out for personal reasons and also did some property development. You don't need to go into detail as it isn't relevant. If you did any IT training or anything to keep your finger on the pulse then mention it but to be honest the recruiter/hiring manager won't be particulalrly interested in the details.

In terms of next steps I think you are more likely to get a permanent role. Recruiters looking for contractors don't tend to like recent career gaps because clients always highlight the need for the person to 'hit the ground running' which they assume someone who has been out of the loop for a while won't be able to do. Your best bet is to apply directly to companies and I cannot emphasise enough the need to tap up your current network of family, friends and colleagues as this is often a good way to find opportunities.

If you aren't already on LinkedIn then get on there and link up with anyone you have ever had a passing connection to. You's be surprised how many doors this will open for you.

HTH

[TheOmegaMan]

Agree with Emily - I have a one year gap on my CV, which I do not hide. Employers/clients often ask about this gap and I just repeat the two line explanation given on the CV. It has only ever been used against me once. After one hour of perfectly answered technical questions, the guy zeroed in on my one year gap and rejected me because of it. But this guy was just an a**hole - if the gap bothers you, don't bother interviewing me.

Life is a rollercoaster of a ride and the good people just keep on going.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Don't tell them you were in prison whatever you do!!!

And what is wrong with doing time in chokey?

[expat]

And what is wrong with doing time in chokey?

Sign of criminal tendencies, stupidity (got caught), antisocial attitude, selfishness.... should have thought it would strike a chord with most agents