Been out of work for a while? You're finished!

[nomadd]

This is definately true. A couple of months is okay, but anything longer than that and you can halve your chances as each month goes by.

Really?

In the last 15 years, I've taken four six-month breaks, one nine-month, and one twelve-month. Never had an issue finding contract work in the last 27 years when I've wanted it.

Mind you, I'd forgotten how many permies with permie-mindsets there are on here these days.

[DimPrawn]

Really?

In the last 15 years, I've taken four six-month breaks, one nine-month, and one twelve-month. Never had an issue finding contract work in the last 27 years when I've wanted it.

My you, I've forgotten how many permies with permie-mindsets there are on here these days.

Yeah but you is fooking ace, innit?

[beemarman]

Illness is a big no no.

Clients want drones that never stop working, are never ill, never put family first, never think about anything other than client co bottom line.

Hiring manager will be thinking, what if this person is suddenly ill again mid project? Next candidate!

Or putting it another way, the world is full of s with manager after their job title...

You're so right. Went for an Interview for a perm role for local council. Interview was perfect, answered all technical question correctly, was even told I answered better than other candidate.
Then one of the interviewers then asked about the gap on my CV, I told them the truth, and the response I got from the other interviewer was "Are you looking to work for the council cause of their excellent sickness benefit".

To be honest I laughed when he said that as I thought he was joking, but now looking back, that's probably why I didn't get the job. They thought I wanted the job because of the sickness benefit public sector workers.

Sad, but true. They talk about non-discrimination in work place, but that's just bull. I'm being treated like a criminal, but I refuse to let them win, to me any roles that turn me down because of my past illness is not somewhere I would like to work anyway. Not going to let them or cancer decide how I live my life. Something would come around

[GJABS]

Can't you just tell the client you've got half a mil in the bank, and fancied 6 months off?
If a client won't hire you cos of time off, they are likely to be w*****s in other ways too, and you are better off shot of them.

[clearedforlanding]

You're so right. Went for an Interview for a perm role for local council. Interview was perfect, answered all technical question correctly, was even told I answered better than other candidate.
Then one of the interviewers then asked about the gap on my CV, I told them the truth, and the response I got from the other interviewer was "Are you looking to work for the council cause of their excellent sickness benefit".

To be honest I laughed when he said that as I thought he was joking, but now looking back, that's probably why I didn't get the job. They thought I wanted the job because of the sickness benefit public sector workers.

Sad, but true. They talk about non-discrimination in work place, but that's just bull. I'm being treated like a criminal, but I refuse to let them win, to me any roles that turn me down because of my past illness is not somewhere I would like to work anyway. Not going to let them or cancer decide how I live my life. Something would come around

Choose the hobby/subject that interests you the most, one that you could discuss comfortably in a conversation.

Congratulations, you went on a sabbatical! For the whole period you were ill!

Sabbatical is a word that can work wonders on a CV. It appears an awful lot on executive CVs.

[seanraaron]

You're so right. Went for an Interview for a perm role for local council. Interview was perfect, answered all technical question correctly, was even told I answered better than other candidate.
Then one of the interviewers then asked about the gap on my CV, I told them the truth, and the response I got from the other interviewer was "Are you looking to work for the council cause of their excellent sickness benefit".

To be honest I laughed when he said that as I thought he was joking, but now looking back, that's probably why I didn't get the job. They thought I wanted the job because of the sickness benefit public sector workers.

Sad, but true. They talk about non-discrimination in work place, but that's just bull. I'm being treated like a criminal, but I refuse to let them win, to me any roles that turn me down because of my past illness is not somewhere I would like to work anyway. Not going to let them or cancer decide how I live my life. Something would come around

That is ******** outrageous. I mean in the States ten years ago that would have meant you'd be denied health insurance, but that would just mean one less benefit the company would be providing you with so not a reason to pass you up. The idea you'd go for a job because of sick leave is crazy. If that was your mindset you'd just go on disability and not bother with work at all!

Hang in there, there's gotta be people out there who aren't complete ******* hiring.

@Hardman is that for real? Being asked for airline tickets just sounds crazy. Like it matters if you decided to take a few months off because you could afford it or not. If that was the case why even contact the person?

[Cirrus]

Have I told you this story?

I was sitting talking to the interviewer and then she suddenly she says "Well what have you been doing since 2013?"

Somehow she'd got an old CV. The agent swore it wasn't him (which curiously I'm disinclined to believe)

Anyway a 2 - 3 year gap didn't seem to faze her.

However if the agent had got the old CV, that would have been an entirely different matter I suspect.

[SunnyInHades]

Clients want drones that never stop working, are never ill, never put family first, never think about anything other than client co bottom line.

Hirer struck with 'Carrey Liar/Liar Syndrome': I want to make the most money for ME in the shortest space of time - hence I'll be paying you the very lowest I can, the very lowest you'll accept; I want someone who will work the fastest, longest and hardest for ME, to make money for ME. Your only purpose in my eyes is to make money for ME.

[seanraaron]

I was sitting talking to the interviewer and then she suddenly she says "Well what have you been doing since 2013?"

Somehow she'd got an old CV. The agent swore it wasn't him (which curiously I'm disinclined to believe)

Anyway a 2 - 3 year gap didn't seem to faze her.

However if the agent had got the old CV, that would have been an entirely different matter I suspect.

I've changed physical and email addresses for work stuff so I always ask what's on the header because a lot of these places get your CV from who knows where. I definitely don't want them sending outdated crap to clients.

[seanraaron]

Hirer struck with 'Carrey Liar/Liar Syndrome': I want to make the most money for ME in the shortest space of time - hence I'll be paying you the very lowest I can, the very lowest you'll accept; I want someone who will work the fastest, longest and hardest for ME, to make money for ME. Your only purpose in my eyes is to make money for ME.

Did you take the job?