<p>So I took my final class in Dec. 2012 but I couldn't officially get my degree till March 2013. However, since Dec I have been unemployed and am still trying to find work, even if its close to minimum wage. During that time I've been studying and trying to prepare for Grad school which I plan to do. I've read online about unemployment gaps and now am starting to get worried that it will make it really hard to get any job, even retail or restaurant jobs. Will an unemployment gap after graduation make it really difficult to find a job? Thanks.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t think it really matters whether it makes it more difficult to get a job. All you can do is keep trying to find something and applying to whatever you can. Some employers might care, while some might be more understanding. Regardless, though, there’s not much you can do about it now besides trying to get involved in something ASAP.</p>
<p>Something, you could try doing if you’re having trouble finding paid employment is getting some sort of volunteer experience (related to what you want to do would be great, but anything that can show you have certain skills would be great). Even if it’s just something to use of some of your time, you can still present it as a way of demonstrating that you have skills that might be valued by an employer.</p>
<p>Just keep applying…something will work out eventually! </p>
<p>I know how you feel, though. I’ve got a year-long gap since I worked full-time, six month gap until I worked halftime…I’m getting stressed about it, too. Only about 10% of the places I’ve applied to even respond. (ugh, rude)</p>
<p>I second what baktrax said – find a way to stay involved in the community. If you volunteer regularly with a given organization it could be something you add to the top of your resume as a most recent experience to demonstrate you’ve stayed engaged. It also gives you something to talk about in an interview to account for your time. They want to know you haven’t been sitting around munching on cheetos on the couch.</p>
<p>If you are unable to even get a retail or restaurant job, then I am willing to wager that you need to make a change in your approach. Have you asked for feedback on your interviews and resume, or tips on what to improve? Many companies were looking for seasonal help over the last few months and many people with little or no job experience made the cut. It could be the way in which you present yourself on the phone or in your resume. I am constantly shocked at some of the calls I receive from applicants, or what they put in their resumes. </p>
<p>Are you tailoring apps for the specific job? I am not saying that it is easy to find a job right now. But if you are trying even for minimum wage and can’t find anything after almost a year, I would take a very critical look at what it is you’re doing and what changes might be necessary. Go back to career services at your college and do a lot mock interviews.</p>
<p>And volunteer experience is excellent. You can help lead groups in community projects and build leadership skills, as well as good references. But yes, as someone who actively recruits and interviews, I am wary to hire those with gaps in their employment unless there is a good reason for it (took a year off for a new baby, went back to school, etc.).</p>
<p>NovaLynnx–what is it exactly that makes you wary of applicants with gaps? How big of a gap does someone have to have to make you raise an eyebrow?</p>
<p>Just curious to hear the employers’ side of this thing.</p>
<p>If someone has a few long-term positions and only one gap, I usually do not focus on it. However, if someone has been out of school for 5 years, has had three different jobs and a few long gaps in between each (6+ months), I start to become suspect that there is a reason they cannot easily find - and keep - a job. </p>
<p>It also makes me wonder if they were employed during that gap, but had a bad experience and do not want us reaching out to that company for a reference check (which not all employers do, anyway). I’ve interviewed people with gaps who then start talking about a job they had last year that was not on their resume. When I ask for more specifics about that position and why they left, it usually turns into a sour impression. </p>
<p>Usually someone will not leave one job until they have another offer in hand. If they do leave and struggle to find employment for 6 months or more, then I start to question why they left their previous job. Were they involuntarily terminated? Couldn’t get along with their team? Not good at their job? Of course there are many other acceptable reasons for gaps - health problems, family situations, etc. - and I can usually get a reasonable feel for the individual’s character with a phone interview to determine if I want to continue with a formal interview. People can drop hints of what may have been going on without realizing it. The tone with which they refer to a previous employer, for example. Or long awkward pauses or stuttering as they struggle to come up with a way to word an unfavorable situation. Of course, some are just natural actors and professional interviewers regardless of how terrible their work ethic is. </p>
<p>It is usually good to notate why there is a gap so that we do not play guessing games with your future - don’t get overly specific, but you can notate a medical or personal leave, returning to school, new baby, etc.</p>
<p>I might add: these feelings are stronger with younger applicants. More experienced applicants have different battles to get through, including age discrimination, seeming “overqualified,” expecting higher salaries for their experience when companies would rather pay bottom dollar for a new graduate, etc.</p>
<p>Very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.</p>