by Leo Wiles
12 October 2016
Hi Rachel and Leo, I have a question that pretty much defines my job-search efforts at the moment. If, like many women, I’ve had children and haven’t worked for a few years, what do I do about the gaping hole in my CV? I certainly don’t want to mention being a ‘stay at home mum’ in my cover letter. As well as having children I also cared for my mother before she died from cancer (and the grief knocked me around for a long time). When applying for jobs do I need to explain my absence from the workforce, or do employers assume that babies are the reason for women being out of work? Thanks. H
You’re certainly not the first parent or carer to be faced with this CV challenge. Which is why it is crucial to remember the Golden Rule. If somebody told you they’d been out of work for the same reasons as yourself – how would you judge them? Chances are, you wouldn’t. So keep in mind that clients may also have experienced lengthy illnesses, redundancies, sick parents, and child raising issues too and opt for full disclosure rather than fudging your life story.
That doesn’t mean to say I would dwell on my reasons for the lengthy gaps, but I would certainly highlight in my cover letter that during those lean times I used my time productively, advancing and enhancing my career through networking, maintaining a blog etc. For it’s here in the cover letter and in interviews that you need a rehearsed, short and to-the-point positive response.
In my case, I let prospective employers know that the length of absence was a measured decision. Explained that I was taking my time to up-skill to reposition myself for the new industry I found myself in when my youngest went to school this year. I then showed them that I was still relevant, passionate about my industry and up-to-date by doing my homework researching their company, where it had been, where it was heading and where I could see myself fitting in with their internal and or external communications.
Way before that first pitch, however, I freshened up my online portfolios, social media platforms and my CV – making full use of any and ALL of the outlets I had written for, contracted for, volunteered with and courses I had studied during those family years. I grouped them under the title ‘Freelance Writer /Freelance PR’, omitting the month and opting only for the years 2008–2012. I then listed the title and publisher, or corporate client – and any marketing wins my pieces had contributed to.
I also rejigged my CV, dropping my work experience below an opening statement showcasing my skills. Doing this is known in the recruitment biz as a ‘functional resume’. Which is a much better option than a fictional one!
If you’re still feeling nervous, why not opt for a soft launch back into the marketplace. Reach out to your fellow freelancers and touch base with previous clients who already know, letting them know what a fabulous addition to their writing pool you’ll be. That way, you can ease yourself back in amongst a sea of familiar faces who already know your situation while you build up a more recent work history.
Have you ever had a long unexplained absence in your working life? If so what did you do when it came time to return to work?
