Need to apply for job but out of work for 2 years

[Der Cute]

Yes, that's right. Two years out of work. Partially because I had a baby, and the rest of it is for medical stuff (of my own).
I really want to apply for a specific job, and I'm not sure what to do about my "latest" employer. Because while I was unemployed, I volunteered @ a food bank, for about a year. Since then I've done a little bit of community service (tickets). Could I use that for volunteering?
The last job I had that paid to me was in 2010. At the beginning of 2011 I stopped working totally. (long story, ask me if you want later)

But now, do I put that volunteering in? It's gonna really mess with my resume. Do I put the 2010 job in? Short contract job. Help! Can anyone look over my current (old old) resume and help me with it?

Please?

[NecessaryCatharsis]

Its hard to give advice without knowing what the job and requirements are. I have done some resume browsing/hiring at a few jobs and would be happy to look over yours if you email the wanted ad and resume to me, but if it has really specific requirements I may not be able to help much (really technical, artistic or education dependant fields for example).

Also I don't know where you live, but from the few foreign resumes I have gotten I think that formatting expectations in different continents vary wildly, but if you live in North America I can critique that also.

If you've already found help, then good luck with the interview!

[Sapphire Silk]

Put your job in the job experience section, and the volunteer work in the volunteer work section.

In this economy, I doubt too many people will raise much of an eyebrow about two years. When you interview you'll have an opportunity to explain the gap.

[Pixilated]

Not knowing much about your situation, I would say absolutely put in the volunteer work. I was always told that it shows you were out and about, not sitting at home playing Farmville 18 hours a day, LOL. I'm not sure why you feel it would mess up your resume.

And Sapphire Silk is correct: it should go in a 'volunteer' section of your resume.

As for your your 2010 job, is there any reason it should not go in? (e.g. were you fired under extremely inauspicious circumstances? ) Regardless of why you left, if you left in good graces with your boss, I don't see any reason not to include it.

[Kit-Ginevra]

I would put your work up to 2010-you said you then were off because you had a baby-well that's a perfectly legit explanation for why you weren't working.

So depending on when you became pregnant...

So up to 2010-paid work.Reason for leaving-short contract and impending birth of child.
From 2011-homemaker and mother to child (born xxxx),also volunteered at the XYZ Charity.

You can use that as a reference-for 2 years,you were punctual,hardworking,honest and capable.Reason for leaving that-if application is successful,resuming full time employment.