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StartingOverNowon Ask HN: How do you get a job after a 2-year gap in your work history?

I have no good advice for OP. I'm in a similar position having been umeployed since Q2 of 2020 after suffering from burnout. I didn't do anything to develop technical skills or networking-wise during long bouts of depression. I'm only now recovered enough to think about entering the workforce again.

My current plan is to get a simple job in the food industry or public health services and then use what remains of the day to attain book knowledge in programming, project management and negotiation. Starting to build a portfolio from now on and trying to make contacts within the industry, hoping that perhaps in a year from now, I will find a 'real' job in the tech sector. Not an easy feat at 41.

StartingOverNowon Ask HN: How do you get a job after a 2-year gap in your work history?

That's a big lie to tell and even harder to prove (unless you actually tried to start a company). Even failed companies leave some kind of electronic or trademark footprint.

Imagine your qualifications checking out and failing the interview for being caught in a web of lies.

StartingOverNowon Ask HN: How do you get a job after a 2-year gap in your work history?

>perhaps you're not ready to re-enter the workforce

I'd wager most people are dependent on money to pay for rent and food.

StartingOverNowon Ask HN: How do you get a job after a 2-year gap in your work history?

I feel like that's the only honest answer. Unfortunately this makes you totally dependent on the interviewer being magnanimous.

StartingOverNowon Ask HN: How do you get a job after a 2-year gap in your work history?

That's easy, you only have to invent a time-machine first. You weren't actually "out of work" if you instead did extensive charity work.

I'm in a similar position as OP: 2-year gap due to burnout and deep depression. I couldn't do anything beyond not killing myself, I was unable to get anything new into my brain, I touched no projects, I had burned all bridges and basically all my technical and social skills atrophied during the pandemic.

I'm no liar though, I wouldn't dare to pad my CV with stuff which I haven't actually done. I wouldn't even lie in an interview, only that I don't get any interviews at all, which I assume is because of the obvious red flag of the employment gap.

Only my savings kept my afloat until today.