Employment History Hysteria

While I agree that having your ducks in a row is very important, as I read through this thread, I get the distinct feeling that you are totally overanalyzing this whole situation. If I recall correctly, your only looking at covering a few months gap in your employment history, which is really a blip in the 10 year history they need to look at.

I'm pretty sure that many companies are still looking at employment history with a huge grain of salt knowing that there will be many folks with some gaps due to that whole virus insanity we went through what with all the lockdowns, etc.

My advise would be to stop analyzing this to death and start putting in some applications. Recruiters will reach out to you to review your application on the phone. If they have any problems with your gaps, they will ask. At that time you should briefly but honestly explain each point as they inquire about it. The recruiter will let you what you need to provide if they are looking to give you a shot.

In short, this is not as serious as a failed drug test. A 'No' answer now from any company will not prevent you from applying again in the future and possibly getting a 'yes' then.