How do you find a job when you have a five-year employment gap
I have been taking care of my Mom for the last five years and am now trying to re-enter the labor market. How do I overcome this as well as being over 40?
Lie. Say you were working freelance. Say you were trying to start your own business. Say you were in another country working because many employers are not going to call for verification if they have to do it at 3 AM. Make up something that is plausible and find friends you can put down as references that are willing to back you up if your potential employer calls. Take a page from out president. Lie, Lie, Lie. Just bas your lies on the truth, make them plausible and know your lies backwards and forwards to stand up to any cross referencing questions. Most important. If you lie about your skills, make sure you know those skills before you start. Don't lie about something an employer can check on their own. Don't lie about college degrees, certificates and don't say you were in the military if you weren't.
Worse that can happen is you don't get the job, or you get fired from the job, which are still better than being honest with no job.
Hi Jeffrey Brown - that's a common question we have here on Jobcase. You aren't alone in taking time from the workforce to care for family. It's something almost a fourth of Americans have to do at some point in their lives!
I would highly recommend reading through Ashley W. 's conversation You cared for a sick relative as it EXACTLY matches the situation you are describing!
A couple other conversations you will find useful information in: How To Explain Resume Gaps and Your Resume Has Gaps. These should help you further change up the gaps in your resume and help you get back into the labor market!
I hope this helps, Jeffrey!
I did the same and taking care of Mom was my most challenging position to date. I added "Self-Employed" in a family business... for my 5-year stint!