Gaps in employment: Securing Loan

[Austin Bull]

I'm looking to make my first property purchase. I've been reading that most mortgage lenders require a 2-year history of employment. Does that mean in the last 24 months from now? Or the last two complete W-2 years? I have been working for the past 3 years, but off and on as I have made a career change, and had schooling mixed in there. I definitely have not been working every month for the past two years. Will this effect my chances of getting a loan? Thanks!