Advice: Job Search question

I was laid off from my job last January. well, actually before then, but my last working day was the end of Jan 09. I pretty much took the year off entirely and have just now begun to seriously look for work.

I just don't know what to say when recruiters ask me what I've been doing this past year. Because honestly, I've been doing nothing productive or career oriented. I've been attending to personal things (moving, sick/dying grandmother) and just relaxing. Yes, I feel like a bit of a deadbeat but it's just the way it is and I can't really change it now. I was definitely burnt out and needed the R&R so in that respect I don't regret my decision to take the year off.

Twice a week I help out with dog training in the city. I'm an Assistant Trainer but don't have my own business or anything. I feel kind of lame saying "well, I was working on dog training that year" or even embellishing and saying I was working on building my dog training business, because I think many people think of it as a hobby or a non-professional job.

What is your opinion? Do you think I should leave dog training out of my explanation? Do you think there's a "good" way to answer that question? TIA!!!!

Re: Advice: Job Search question

Well, you could say I took a little time off to get my head together to decide what I wanted to do. Started meeting with people and exploring different careers. Met with career counselors. Worked part time training animals because I love animals. Tended to a very sick relative who ultimately passed.

Re: Advice: Job Search question

I was on the same boat I left my job in May 2008 after a draining 1 1/2 years to go back to school that July 2008 but unfortunately my DH was laid of the end of July so i had to put school on hold and look for a job. I also took like 4 months off and slacked sometimes while looking so what I did was tell potential employers that I was looking for work on and off the whole year and was thinking of trying different areas. I told them sometimes it was mentally draining so i had to take a week or so off from looking to recoup. Well I finally found a job in July 2009. A whole year or so later.

Don't worry about what they will think. If you have to tell them you needed a mental break from everything I think they would understand. You can also say you were looking for work on and off while attending to your grandma. Plus you can say you helped volunteer with dog training a couple days a week. They would be impressed with that. Good luck with your search.

Message edited 1/8/2010 10:12:28 PM.

Re: Advice: Job Search question

In this day and age, unfortunately, it can take that long to find a job. I've been laid off since April, and I have been looking all this time, and haven't found anything. I don't think people will question it as much as they used to.