On top of justifying your employment gaps, laying through your fucking teeth is a mighty effective tactic in job interviews in general.
You have the experience they’re looking for. Where did you get it? Toys r us, sears, choose any company that went bankrupt. List your friend (coach them on what to say) as your manager at that place.
You love overtime when it’s necessary. You don’t have anyone at home waiting for you so if there’s work to do you’re happy to get a bigger paycheck instead of being bored all night. It doesn’t matter if it’s true because that guy told you “we don’t ask for overtime often, we work well”. Both of you were lying, it’s fine.
You need a certification from a bullshit company like AWS or Azure (not actually useful certs like forklift mind you, please do stay secure). Don’t fucking pay for it, tell them you had the opportunity to follow the classes but we’re too busy with work to pass the exam! Sure you don’t have the paper to show for it but you know what you’re talking about! And you’re such a great candidate why would you like to them about that?
Lie through your teeth everytime you get the chance, because they’re doing it too. Worse case scenario? They find out and never call you back. Oh no! The thing they were going to do if you didn’t lie!