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I am a 35 years old teacher by profession. I started my career right after my post-graduation at 22 years old. I was working in a small college when my grad mother died and left behind my invalid grandfather in Omaha. I had to leave my job and rush there to take care of my grandfather who has no one else but me as his kin. My parents died in a car accident when I was young. I never lacked for finances since my grandparents are comfortably off and their ranch more than sufficiently pays for our keep. My grandfather loved his ranch and I could never have the heart of putting him in a old age home. In the meantime I completed my MBA degree online as well as MCA.

My grandfather expired 3 months ago, and I sold the ranch and moved back to the civilization. Now I am looking for a job and while writing my CV I am having this 5 years gap which I cannot exactly fill. I have two degrees earned during this period but these were distance education. What should I do to make my CV look good inspite of the 5 years gap in between? Please advise.

lilo · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:10 pm Post subject:

Don't mention the gap, just mention your years of experience

for example:

1988-1996 - English teacher at.....
2001 - 2006 - English teacher at...(or whatever you have done when you "came back to civilization).

Between them you can mention those degrees. It doesn't matter that they are distance education items. It is still part of your education and experience.

Richard · Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:23 am Post subject:

I disagree! They'll only ask you about it - if you ever get to an interview. Large gaps on a resume may well consign that resume to the bin. Why would an employer want someone with a highly visible and unexplained 5-year gap. What are they hiding? Gaol?

Besides, you were performing a valuable service in caring for your grandfather. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Women take time off to have children and have no need to go into detail about it so why should caring for an infirm relative be any different? As well as distance learning you were running a ranch also, weren't you? I would have thought that would augment your MBA. Honesty from the outset.

Ola · Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject:

l agree with richard you do have a lot to offer, simple expand and discuss your MBA qualifications, projects and course details, that should be sufficient to get you an entry level post in a career related to your MBA/Degree studies -- however l don't feel its approriate to mention on your CV / Resume application - that you spent xxx years looking after GrandDad -- this can possiblly be left for interviews only...

CV Writing Services - Ola Philip King
How to write a CV - Ola Philip King

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