how to account for gaps in your CV?

[gherkinfiend]

i've been out of work now for three years...which as you can imagine leaves a mighty big gap on your CV...does anyone have any ideas of how to phrase this on a CV?

I have had a real soap opera couple of years (had to leave job due to being injured, they refused to give reference, landlady wouldn't accept Housing Benefit while i was unemployed, so ended up homeless and in hostels for a year, do suffer from a recurrent medical condition...and have had some other incredibly difficult and private personal problems in this time which have kept me from working...) Everyone recommends explaining the gaps, but i'm worried that this will make me look a)crazy, b) a total liar or c) someone who will be more trouble to employ than its worth...

What does anyone out there suggest?

[maviscoull]

just put ' unemployed due to personal reasons ' . if you get asked for interview you can explain in full if you wish.

[dawg_kane]

The trick to getting an interveiw with your cv is to make it look and sound interesting, most people "fluff" it up a bit and its to be expected, if you want to account for lost years on your cv but want to remain private about what u were doin then just say you travelled abroad, decided to take a few years out, alot of people do it now adays.

[gherkinfiend]

I'll re-phrase the question...what does anyone suggest that doesn't involve blatantly lying on my CV?

[maviscoull]

i never said to lie !! i just said to say you were unemployed due to personal reasons. and if you were asked at an interview you could explain the situation if you wished. sorry if you felt that i encouraged you to lie !!

[meltoadhall]

just say you took a career break.
covers everything from a nervous breakdown to having children to travelling around the world.

[gherkinfiend]

maviscoull, sorry! I wasn't referring to you but another person who suggesting telling big fibs!

[BuckyKat]

Its always best to be honest, you took a break for personal reasons, and don't worry about the recurrent medical condition, you may be protected under the disability discrimination act which makes it unlawful for someone to refuse you employment because of that condition...unless there's a genuine work related reason which means you can't or shouldn't do the job...good luck in your search!

[dawg_kane]

tell the truth then!....anything other than what really happened will be a lie.

merely a suggestion to deviate from your real problems