Warning: Your gap year could make you unemployable..

I took a gap year after leaving University and enjoyed every second of it. For 14 months I worked as an English teacher in China and then, briefly, at an orphanage in Cambodia.

After returning home I looked to work within the public sector and, in the process, applied for a number of police staff and home office positions. As I have gradually found – my gap year EXCLUDES me from applying.

I was out of the country for just over 12 months and, according to the police and the home office (and I suspect other security related government departments), this means I do not meet their basic residency requirements.

For the example, the police ask that you have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to your application. To work as an immigration officer you must have been in the UK for at least 5 years.

So, despite all my good deeds, wealth of experience and transferable skills that, in the case of many of these positions, would make be an even better candidate, they won’t touch me. Ha, these guys talk about “life experiences” but when it comes down to it, they only want life experiences that fit neatly into boxes and forms.

These are just some examples… seriously though, if you have any interest in working within this type of sector – avoid leaving the country… hell, if possible, avoid even thinking about leaving the country.

I am currently looking for positions within local government and, thankfully, such residency nonsense does not apply. However, as you may tell from this post, I am still a little pi**ed off at the fact I am being penalised for daring to leave the country.

I took a gap year after leaving University and enjoyed every second of it. For 14 months I worked as an English teacher in China and then, briefly, at an orphanage in Cambodia.

After returning home I looked to work within the public sector and, in the process, applied for a number of police staff and home office positions. As I have gradually found – my gap year EXCLUDES me from applying.

I was out of the country for just over 12 months and, according to the police and the home office (and I suspect other security related government departments), this means I do not meet their basic residency requirements.

For the example, the police ask that you have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to your application. To work as an immigration officer you must have been in the UK for at least 5 years.

So, despite all my good deeds, wealth of experience and transferable skills that, in the case of many of these positions, would make be an even better candidate, they won’t touch me. Ha, these guys talk about “life experiences” but when it comes down to it, they only want life experiences that fit neatly into boxes and forms.

These are just some examples… seriously though, if you have any interest in working within this type of sector – avoid leaving the country… hell, if possible, avoid even thinking about leaving the country.

I am currently looking for positions within local government and, thankfully, such residency nonsense does not apply. However, as you may tell from this post, I am still a little pi**ed off at the fact I am being penalised for daring to leave the country.