Does Anyone Know If This Would Work?

[belladonna 279]

I was wondering, if I were to apply for a job, could I say that I worked from home as a "massage therapist" for the past year. If anyone has had to deal with having to explain their sudden absence for the work field, could you email me or leave a comment below?

 

I would really appreciate this because there is this store I've been dying to work for, and I need to have a year's worth of work experience.

 

If anyone is wondering, I'm not quiting as an escort, I'm just preparing for when I will have to start gaining real work experience (the boring kind, LOL).

[Annessa 22743]

do you have an skills on the side that you could say you are freelancing in?

 

for example, I went to school for graphic design and I also do artwork on commission. I explain how I make my money as I'm meeting with clients and woking from home on projects with them. thats what I say to my parents and that I plugg out more art that I'm actually doing to account for the cash I bring in. I say I work on a cash basis yadda yadda yadda...

 

do you have anything where you could say you were self employed in? massage therapy could work but you may need to read up on it f you dont know the scientifics of it and the other person just so happens to have more knowledge about it...you never know! :-)

 

 

I was wondering, if I were to apply for a job, could I say that I worked from home as a "massage therapist" for the past year. If anyone has had to deal with having to explain their sudden absence for the work field, could you email me or leave a comment below?

 

I would really appreciate this because there is this store I've been dying to work for, and I need to have a year's worth of work experience.

 

If anyone is wondering, I'm not quiting as an escort, I'm just preparing for when I will have to start gaining real work experience (the boring kind, LOL).

[buggernot 588]

Since you're in school, you already have a perfectly legitimate reason for having a gap in employment. Lying about something on a resume can come back to bite you in the ass, and working towards a degree is more impressive to say than stocking shelves at Loblaw's. If you do need to 'embellish' your work experience, back that up with a reference who can vouch (lie) for you ;)

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[geo007 203]

I totally agree that the being in school is an excellent reason. I've hired staff in the past and when such a reason came up I would ask generalities on type of schooling etc... (where were you going, (could be through distance courses) working towards a university in management or something else is very general) To cover the costs, you could mention that you were on student loans. Given your age, it should come across as normal.

[fortunateone 156618]

I agree, stick with the in-school reason for no recent work related experience. Are you looking for work experience in order to get the job, or just concerned they might view the gap as something to question? If you need work experience in retail, and don't have any, there isn't any way around that. I hired people before who didn't have retail work experience, but they knew quite abit about the products thru their own hobby work and that would be the tactic you might want to use. A frequent customer of any place I manage would also be more value than someone who has the retail background but only came in because of a job posted. At least I knew they understood the products, knew the layout. Anyone can learn to use a cash register, process payments, but not too many can really sell the product. A fan/customer of the product can, and if this is a place you really like, that is what you want to promote about yourself.

[Guest s******ecan****]

I agree, stick with the in-school reason for no recent work related experience. Are you looking for work experience in order to get the job, or just concerned they might view the gap as something to question? If you need work experience in retail, and don't have any, there isn't any way around that. I hired people before who didn't have retail work experience, but they knew quite abit about the products thru their own hobby work and that would be the tactic you might want to use. A frequent customer of any place I manage would also be more value than someone who has the retail background but only came in because of a job posted. At least I knew they understood the products, knew the layout. Anyone can learn to use a cash register, process payments, but not too many can really sell the product. A fan/customer of the product can, and if this is a place you really like, that is what you want to promote about yourself.

 

This is really great advice from fortunateone, also you could make up for your lack of experience with some research, enthusiasm, and some ideas on how you can become a valued employee (come up with specific ideas not just platitudes like "I'm a hard worker, I learn quick etc etc). Talk to someone else who is doing the same job if you can and have a plan of action to talk about.

 

BTW if you plan on saying you've been in school, make sure you have a ready made answer if they ask you about your recent studies!

 

Good luck :-D

[NatalieWood 6427]

....or you could do your soul a favour and not work retail.

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[kih 458]

Why not say you took time to look after an ill family member or a year off to travel.

[dominoeffect 1077]

...travelling the world?

 

 

DoM

[Two Thirty 1422]

I agree, stick with the in-school reason for no recent work related experience. Are you looking for work experience in order to get the job, or just concerned they might view the gap as something to question? If you need work experience in retail, and don't have any, there isn't any way around that. I hired people before who didn't have retail work experience, but they knew quite abit about the products thru their own hobby work and that would be the tactic you might want to use. A frequent customer of any place I manage would also be more value than someone who has the retail background but only came in because of a job posted. At least I knew they understood the products, knew the layout. Anyone can learn to use a cash register, process payments, but not too many can really sell the product. A fan/customer of the product can, and if this is a place you really like, that is what you want to promote about yourself.

 

Excellent advice from fortunateone. I'd add that the people-skills really do make the difference, right from that first impression greeting and/or handshake at the interview. BTDT and I can say that in retail especially, it's pretty much decided right then and there, in that initial moment, especially if it's going to be a 30min-type interview. Knowing their business, who their customers tend to be, and being genuine, will also help them remember you in the best way.

[belladonna 279]

Thanks everyone, I'll figure it out. I think it's best to tell the truth and say that I am studying for a degree. For the job that I would want, I think that what's best is that I'm a student and thus, I'm constantly around what they are selling ;)

 

There's nothing wrong with retail, by the way, if you truly enjoy and are inspired by what you're selling. It's unfortunate that even Prospero has been bought out by the "big corporations", there's only one or two indie stores left of its kind. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to be hired.

 

Oh and thanks Annessa, all though I'm not an artist, I can say I do freelance writing. (They don't need to know that I write fanfiction for a group of nerds :P)

[YoungStud 468]

Next time I'm in Shirley Leishman's, I hope you can help me find something.8)

[fortunateone 156618]

If it becomes important, find a place to volunteer, like a hospital gift shop, thrift shop, or small owner-operator business. You will learn how to do cash/cc/debit sales, returns, whatever whatever, most likely.