Way too long out of job market

Hey, guys!
Is there anyone who stayed out of employment for too long (over a year) and made it back?
My story: I had some trouble I put myself in couple of years ago, mentally struggled from a terrible break-up consequences, and I totally screwed up my relationships with parents and friends - I simply wanted to stay away from people and the rest of the world.
So, I went travelling and spent 1 year on the road across SE Asia & Middle East. It totally relaxed me, I became less paranoid about my problems, came back to normal mental state of mind.
How do I explain this all to my potential employer? What would you suggest me doing in my situation?
Maybe, I should take some online courses to brush on my skills? ( I graduated from very top school in the UK with a top Economics departments, and I have couple of internships).
Don't tell me to go back to school for MSc as I don't have extra cash.
Any advice and tips will be appreciated a lot!

cheers!

 

I work in Corporate Treasury for a leading UK retail bank, and one of my colleague submitted his resignation to go travelling for a year. So i don't think employer will be surprised to hear about your experience. Just spin that around in a positive way and say you wanted more international exposure and prepare to talk about how it has made you a better person.

 

Guys, thanks a lot for getting back! (and excuse my typos in the initial post)

The problem I'm facing when applying now is that HR is saying I took a way too long break without an actual work experience (except internships) which shows a lack of my commitment. But as you mentioned here, I'm definitely v. hungry to succeed than ever before. I'll keep that advice on saying that I simply took a gap year. W wish, I travelled after, at least, a year of work experience, thought..but back then it wasn't an option.

 

thanks!

I did a volunteering work in one of the Asian countries that involved training the stuff the basic finance/accounting/valuations skills - I did it with other guys coming from first countries. So, I definitely put it. My other internship was in 2011. Way too old but still there. Then, I'm also putting my current employment at family business which is a real estate stuff - it's very recent, I'm not into it much but learning smh every day..

 

Aut et ut aut dolores. Beatae aspernatur aut dolorem repellendus.

Vitae dolorum error blanditiis nesciunt. Rerum voluptates iste dicta. Itaque qui cupiditate libero odio voluptatem eum accusantium.

Quisquam nihil animi qui corporis. Placeat non est ratione facere molestiae illo temporibus. Aut animi aspernatur dolor dolorum quo est consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”