Break in employment

NGlady

Hi all,
Im asking this on behalf of a friend of mine.

In October 2008 she left one job due to the company relocating. Around this time, before she got a new job, she found out that a close family member was quite seriously poorly, so she decided to upsticks for a while to go look after this family member and provide the care required as she was the closest family member in the position to do so.

This family member died in April 2009 and she did temporary contracts since.

She is now seeking full time perminant employment but she is worried about this break. She isnt particually high level in her career as shes only in her very early 20's and only worked for about 18 months after leaving college.

How could this be explained? Would it be a good idea to address this in her letter of application?

Any help would be good.

Thanks

getmore4less

Whats wrong with the truth.

Took time(6months) out of the work place to be a carer.

Then work a story for the next year of temp positions, not sure about location, job type, other relative may need care etc, but now all resolved and ready to commit to the career.

NGlady

Thanks for your responce

She was just very concerned as she did this on her own merit, her family member who was ill gave her a small amount of money from their savings to pay for her day to day living costs. So she was never employed in this position and never claimed benefits for it.

Yes the reason she did a lot of the temp jobs was she couldnt really leave where the deceased was until the house was sold and paperwork etc etc was dealt with. And to be honest, she had a little break, she was a 24/7 carer for a while so she rewarded herself with a month of "me" time.

dave4545454

she should be honest and proud she was a carer, which is a job that is a lot more important than most jobs advertised

NGlady

Thanks Dave.

Another question is does this get mentioned in her letter of application? If so how would she word this, would she word it with regret that she had to do this, or with pride that she did this.

I know its something I certainly couldn't have done.

Zazen999

It will go into the 'employment' section of the CV or the application form.

dave4545454

NGlady wrote: »

Thanks Dave.

Another question is does this get mentioned in her letter of application? If so how would she word this, would she word it with regret that she had to do this, or with pride that she did this.

I know its something I certainly couldn't have done.

absolutely with pride, that she selflessly put someone else's care and needs in front of her own life to make her last days as comfortable as possible. and let's face it, what are most other jobs for....to make money for the boss. that's hardly as important as providing care and making a difference to someone's life.

she should be very proud of what she did.

JayZed

Quite right, being a carer shouldn't be any impediment to a job application. I wouldn't put it on the CV, though - I would simply mention it as a simple fact in the cover letter: "From October 2008 to April 2009 I was a full-time carer for my terminally ill aunt/uncle/grandmother." No need to make a big deal of it.

She may also want to note in the cover letter that she has worked on temporary contracts since than but emphasise that she is keen to return to full-time, permanent employment.

Savvy_Sue

I would agree with JayZed, put who it was she was caring for. I suggest this because some employers would assume that she'd had a baby and might therefore have childcare issues and would not wish to employer her for that reason. Of course it's none of their business, but there's no harm in spelling it out!

dickydonkin

JayZed wrote: »

Quite right, being a carer shouldn't be any impediment to a job application. I wouldn't put it on the CV, though - I would simply mention it as a simple fact in the cover letter: "From October 2008 to April 2009 I was a full-time carer for my terminally ill aunt/uncle/grandmother." No need to make a big deal of it.

She may also want to note in the cover letter that she has worked on temporary contracts since than but emphasise that she is keen to return to full-time, permanent employment.

Absolutely right.

In fact, telling the truth will certainly give some indication as to what type of person you are and will likely enhance your chances of employment rather than hinder it.

I think the general conscensus is to mention this on your covering letter rather than putting it on your CV.

Good luck!

floss2

As someone who has taken a 6-month break out of continuous employment to care for my terminally ill mother, followed by a short-term (4 month) contract to get back into work, I say she needs to state it on her CV and any form where it asks for details of any break in employment.