’ I’ve also been told point-blank to my face, ‘We don’t hire the unemployed.’

[Ms. Toad]

37. Good for you!

Getting something on the resume in those gap times is crucial. Even if it is volunteer work (you don't need to tell them), or creatively titled self-employment. And be persistent.

Taking the years off of graduation dates and employment, and only listing the most relevant jobs for a particular application are also good ideas.

When I had a 5 year gap because I was a stay-at-home mom - and credentials that no one else in my graduating class could match - I got a similar interview response to yours. I wasn't getting any. Even though you aren't supposed to talk about family status - I started highlighting the choice we made to have one of us be the primary at home caretaker - and then what looked like the spotty employment record of someone who couldn't hold down a job, became the enterprising activities of a stay-at-home mom to continue being engaged in the world of work, continuing to acquire new skills, etc.

You have to creatively market yourself, and make what look like drawbacks vanish or turn into strengths.

And - still, for many that is not enough (I don't want to say it is all hunky dory if you just market yourself properly - far too many really good people do that and are still unable to get jobs).