Re-education caused an employment gap (degree, employers, jobs, career)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I saw the handwriting on the wall a long time ago. So I went back to college full-time in September of 2007, graduated in December 2008. When I was in classes, I probably put in about 80 hours a week in class or studying. I lived with relatives, got a merit-based scholarship.
The problem is that this created a "gap in employment" -- and I've been told this by recruiters and staffing agents, who tell me that I should put "something" down during that time.
I did do some contract work -- editing, report writing, transcription, etc. -- but I worked for myself, and I didn't work too many hours. My coursework was too demanding.
It's a catch-22 ... went back to college to retrain, as I'd heard advised ... and now it's coming back to haunt me. Any advice on how to handle this?
Secondly: Take advantage of your school's career site, and employers who want to hire your school's graduates. Many employers want to hire you. They purposely advertise only with your school. Go to your Job fairs.
If you did online, many of this will be impractical to take advantage of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustTheTemp
I saw the handwriting on the wall a long time ago. So I went back to college full-time in September of 2007, graduated in December 2008. When I was in classes, I probably put in about 80 hours a week in class or studying. I lived with relatives, got a merit-based scholarship.
The problem is that this created a "gap in employment" -- and I've been told this by recruiters and staffing agents, who tell me that I should put "something" down during that time.
I did do some contract work -- editing, report writing, transcription, etc. -- but I worked for myself, and I didn't work too many hours. My coursework was too demanding.
It's a catch-22 ... went back to college to retrain, as I'd heard advised ... and now it's coming back to haunt me. Any advice on how to handle this?
College is a full-time JOB!
Even, if you did some side or part-time work is that actually relevant for the position's you are currently seeking?
Now, if you are a fresh undergrad with no resume, then those jobs become paramount.
Anyone "worthwhile" would not even consider those to be gaps, actually they should applaud you for getting your degree or an additional one.
I saw the handwriting on the wall a long time ago. So I went back to college full-time in September of 2007, graduated in December 2008. When I was in classes, I probably put in about 80 hours a week in class or studying. I lived with relatives, got a merit-based scholarship.
The problem is that this created a "gap in employment" -- and I've been told this by recruiters and staffing agents, who tell me that I should put "something" down during that time.
I did do some contract work -- editing, report writing, transcription, etc. -- but I worked for myself, and I didn't work too many hours. My coursework was too demanding.
It's a catch-22 ... went back to college to retrain, as I'd heard advised ... and now it's coming back to haunt me. Any advice on how to handle this?
The problem is that this created a "gap in employment" -- and I've been told this by recruiters and staffing agents, who tell me that I should put "something" down during that time.
I did do some contract work -- editing, report writing, transcription, etc. -- but I worked for myself, and I didn't work too many hours. My coursework was too demanding.
Any advice on how to handle this?
You handle it with the content of both your resume and cover letter.
The "something' that you need to "put down" is both the contracting work and the additional education.
If you are using a chronological resume, I would do something like this:
September 2007 - December 2008
Freelance basketweaver for ABC, XYZ and PDQ corporations while copleting coursework for BS in Basketweaving (or Advanced basketweaver Certification) at Q University.
And I would mention in my cover letter that "In December 2008 I completed additional blah-blah education."
All very good advice -- and I liked the idea of incorporating that into my "experience" area (which I have not done, thus far). A lot of the "work" that I did in the legal area was volunteer/training work. Now, I didn't get paid for it, but it was still part of the program, yes? :/
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
