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Cover letters and references after a career break.

Describing your career gap to potential employers

cover letter after long absence from work

By Vivian Steir Rabin

Vivian Steir Rabin is the co-founder of iRelaunch and the co-author of Back on the Career Track (affiliate link). She is a relauncher, having relaunched her career in executive search after a 7 year career break. Vivian left iRelaunch in late 2014 in order to focus full time on VSR Advisors , a retained executive search firm focused on commercial real estate and financial services for which she serves as Managing Director and Principal.

“I’ve been out of the workforce for several years,” a reader e-mailed me. "Should I address the gap on my resume in a cover letter? What about salary requirements? And what do I do about the fact that all my references are from 10+ years ago, besides the PTA president. (I’ve already told my 12-year-old that I’m not going to use her, even though she’s teaching me power point!)"

Here’s how I responded:

If you haven’t explained the gap on your resume, then by all means explain it in a cover letter. In fact, even if you have a line on your resume about your career break, address the issue in your cover letter as well. Do it briefly and unapologetically. (See the sample below.) Do not go on and on about why you stayed home.

The key is to address the gap (so prospective employers don’t think you were in jail or conjure up other unseemly excuses for your absence from the workforce) and make it clear that you’re ready to return to work now. Employers are less concerned about the gap per se and more concerned about whether you’re logistically and psychologically ready to work and whether you have the skills, despite your absence, to perform on the job.

Your goal, in your cover letter, is to reassure them, briefly, that you are ready, willing and able to return to work.

D o not mention salary requirements at all in a cover letter, nor during the first few interviews. Wait until the employer brings it up.

As far as references go, you do not need to mention them in the cover letter or resume. But you should try to line up 2-3 references, even if they’re from years ago. (One of the three could be from your recent volunteer work, like the PTA president). Email or call your old bosses, tell them you’re seeking to return to the workforce, and ask them if they’re willing to serve as a reference. Assure them that you’ll only give their name and phone number to those who are seriously interested in hiring you. Thank them profusely. Although you haven’t spoken in years, if you did good work, they should be willing to vouch for you. And, who knows, maybe they’ll even have a job lead!

Sample Relauncher Cover Letter:

I am very interested in the A opportunity at Company B, and believe my skills and experience make me a strong candidate. As you can see from the attached resume, I spent X years doing very similar work as a Y at Z Company. In addition, I developed C skills in my D years at E Company. Although I have focused on my family for the last G years and have not worked for pay, I have kept up with developments in the field by reading Most Important Trade Magazines 1 and 2 and attending H conferences. I’ve also updated my computer skills so I’m ready to hit the ground running. Finally, my involvement with I Volunteer Organization has honed my organizational and interpersonal skills.

I am very eager to return to the workforce and believe my pent-up enthusiasm for work, combined with my relevant educational and professional credentials, will help me contribute meaningfully to the organization.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my potential fit for this position by phone or in person at your convenience.

Sincerely, Jane Realdough

Check out our resource center for more free sample cover letters and relauncher resume downloads!

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Cover Letter for Reentering the Workforce

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Writing a Cover Letter for a General Manager Position

What if you leave a job off a resume, how to fill out an application when not working for 10 years.

  • How to Write a Competency-Based Resume
  • Do Long Gaps in Employment Hurt Your Chances of Getting a Job?

Whether you took time off from work to pursue personal interests like finishing school or exploring the world or if you were a stay-at-home parent, take ownership of your decision to leave the workforce when you meet with prospective employers. Re-entering the workforce after a lengthy or not-so-lengthy absence isn't an anomaly as many job seekers would believe. It's a work-life or career stage that you should be able to explain during your interview. Use your cover letter for the intended purpose: to give the recruiter or hiring manager a reason to actually read your resume.

Introduce Yourself

The introduction to your cover letter should state that you're interested in learning more about the job you're applying for, where you saw the job posting or how you learned about the job. Two or three sentences usually is sufficient. If you were personally referred by another employee, always mention the referral in your introductory paragraph to help you make a greater impact. Brevity is a key factor in sustaining the reader's interest.

Outline Qualifications

The purpose of your cover letter is to persuade the recruiter or hiring manager to give your resume attention and to contact you for an interview. Although you'll have to explain it at some point, refrain from excusing your absence from the workforce with apologetic language or tone. Similarly, you cover letter should not explain how long you've been out of the workforce -- the reader can glean that from your resume.

Use two to three sentences to highlight your qualifications and accomplishments using present-tense descriptions. Do not include dates with your work experience, it may lose the reader's interest by suggesting your knowledge and skills aren't current.

My qualifications include event planning and management for nonprofit and charitable foundations' fund development activities.

Mention Professional Development Activities

Instead of justifying why you should be considered for an interview, despite your absence from the workforce, describe professional development activities that you participated in during the time you weren't working.

I stay abreast of new and emerging technologies through administrative courses at Regent Technical College.

Likewise, if you donated your time to volunteer efforts that utilized your professional skills, include that in your cover letter as well as your resume. List volunteer positions on your resume using the same format as paid positions.

Volunteer Literacy Tutor. Adult Education Center. Bloomington, MN.

Many employers won't be concerned about your absence -- they're concerned that you may have let your skills atrophy when you weren't working. Therefore, use your cover letter to emphasize that your skills are up-to-date and that you are worthy of consideration.

Add Bullet Points

Bullet points draw the reader's attention to significant achievements in your career. Construct similar bullet points for both paid work and non-paid work. Use two to four bullet points that quantify your performance or results in previous jobs.

My professional competencies in the events management field include:

  • managing logistics for annual fundraising drives;
  • venue selection and negotating contracts.

Use Standard Closing

End your cover letter using the same closing you would as if you were currently employed. Again, refrain from mentioning that you are looking forward to returning to the workforce. Reiterate your interest in learning more about the job.

Thank you in advance for your favorable consideration. I hope to have an opportunity to meet with you soon to learn more about this exciting position.

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Quarterly -- Getting Back to Work -- Returning to the Labor Force After an Absence
  • The Ladders: How to Return to the Workforce at Any Age
  • The University of Alabama Career Center: Resume Development: Resources

Ruth Mayhew has been writing since the mid-1980s, and she has been an HR subject matter expert since 1995. Her work appears in "The Multi-Generational Workforce in the Health Care Industry," and she has been cited in numerous publications, including journals and textbooks that focus on human resources management practices. She holds a Master of Arts in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Ruth resides in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.

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How to explain a career break in your cover letter

June 14, 2021

How to explain a career break in your cover letter

Source: iStock/Brothers91

There are several valid reasons why you may need to take a break from your career for months or even years at a time.

Perhaps you need to care for a child or family member, or perhaps you took a break to travel, volunteer for a worthy cause, or work on a personal project.

Some of the most common reasons for a CV gap include:

  • Time taken off due to illness 
  • Caring for a relative 
  • Made redundant from a previous role 
  • Looking for a job
  • Childcare responsibilities
  • Going back into education 

Whatever the case may be, it can still feel a little awkward explaining your career break to prospective employers once you return to the job market.

With that in mind, here are some tips that can help you explain your career break in your cover letter.

Career Break Graphic (1)

Focus on what you can offer 

First of all, you don't want your cover letter to sound like a defence of why you had to take some time away from work.

Very few employers are going to worry much about your career break unless they think you're not ready to return to work, or there is some underlying factor that will affect your work with them.

Otherwise, your recruiter just wants to know why you would be the right person for the job.

With that in mind, focus on the positives you can offer your prospective employer

Instead of addressing your career gap immediately, talk about your accomplishments in previous roles. For example:

  • Did you help to increase revenues for your former company?
  • Did you help to finish a major project on time and within budget?
  • Did you receive any specific recognition for your work?

Think about what you can share that will demonstrate your competence, industriousness, and expertise to the recruiter.

After all, the main reason you're writing the cover letter in the first place is to make yourself look as attractive to the company as possible.

Don't try to hide your career break

Even though your qualifications and value to the prospective employer should make up the bulk of your cover letter, you still need to explain your absence from the workforce at some point.

Never give in to the temptation to hide your career gap, or gloss over it.

Granted, there may be a small possibility that the recruiter overlooks the gap; but if the recruiter finds out at a later stage of the hiring process, it could become an issue. In this situation, as in all others, honesty is the best policy.

At the same time, it's a good idea to mention why you think this role is the right fit for you coming back into the workforce.

Perhaps you could reiterate your previous experience in similar roles, or how you've kept your skills sharp during your absence.

career break travel

Source: Shutterstock/GP Pixstock

Don't give out unnecessary details 

When it's time for you to explain your career break in the cover letter, keep the explanation brief and concise.

Remember, you don't have to go in-depth as to why you left your previous job.

For example, let's say that you decided to leave work to care for your elderly parents. The recruiter doesn’t need to know the details about how you came to make the decision, as it is very personal to you.

Instead, you could briefly state something such as: In [insert year], I took some time away from work to care for my parents. It's simple, to the point, and tells the recruiter all they need to know about the situation.

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  • Opening Statement
  • Why are you suitable for the job?
  • Explain The Gap
  • How can you contribute to the organisation?
  • Reiterate/ Summarise
  • Closing statement

Cover Letter Template for Career Break

There is a range of different reasons why professionals might take up a career break. It could be to take care of an ailing family member, personal health issues, taking a break from work for mental health, relocation to a new city, taking care of infants and young kids, and many others. Whatever the reason be, getting back into the workforce is a daunting experience. Especially if you are getting into the professional world after a break of multiple years, the technologies and the processes would have evolved and that diminishes your chances to be employed at par with your last position and salary. 

In this article, we will help you understand how to write a perfect cover letter or CV after a career break and how to build your resume . Let’s get started with the structure of the cover letter or CV.

  • Opening statement/ paragraph
  • Explain the gap
  • How can you contribute to the organization?
  • Reiterate/Summarize your interest in the role
  • Closing statement/ paragraph

Play it safe when you are writing the opening statement for your cover letter. Start with a brief explanation of the position you are applying for and how did you find your vacancy. Keep it relevant and to the point and make sure it is short and not a prolonged paragraph. 

Below is an example of an opening statement:

“I wish to apply for the role of data science executive featured on iimjobs.com. I have enclosed a CV for your consideration.”

At this stage do not consider anything about your career gap. Here, you mention all your skills and list down all the achievements that you have had in your previous stints. List out your academic and vocational qualifications, relevant certifications, that will help you showcase your suitability for the role. This section will essentially prove that despite your career break, you still possess the skills, qualities, and mindset to pursue the role. 

Pro Tip: Always try to quantify your achievements with the results that you achieved. For example, a 30% increase in revenue.

In the third paragraph, take the opportunity to explain your career gap as briefly as possible. But in your quest to make it short and crisp do not limit your explanation and ensure it is thorough. Also, define why is it the right role for you to return to the workforce. When it comes to career gaps, recruiters fear that candidates would not be ready to return to work. Alleviate such fears for the recruiters in this section and explain your worth. 

Example: 

“In March 2016, I gave birth to my daughter and took some time off work to give her all the care she needed. Now, she has started to go to school full-time and I am ready to restart my career and determined to take up new professional challenges.”

Also Read: Six ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd

Once the career gap is addressed and explained, you need to tell the recruiter how you will be a valuable addition to their organisation. You can do this by listing out all that you have done to improve your skills and broaden your knowledge base. This will include certifications, specialised courses, volunteer work, relevant projects you have worked on, letter of recommendation (if you have any). 

You can easily overcome your career gap by reinforcing your credentials and present yourself boldly with confidence and facts. 

“During my career break, I kept a track of how data science is improving and growing as a professional field and signed up for a data science certification course with great learning . I am now a certified data science practitioner and have proved my skills in the capstone project I did as a part of my curriculum. I have attached a brief about my project on “credit card fraud detection” with this cover letter.”

Here you would summarise your interest in the role and organisation and how you would be the right fit. 

I am confident that I can bring the required level of expertise to the role and help the organisation in building well-functioning data science models and solutions. I am available to start immediately and see myself grow along with the organisation for the long term. 

Thank the employer for their time and consideration while closing the letter an sign off with an appropriate salutation such as “Yours sincerely”, or “Yours faithfully”.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you for an interview and take my application further. 

Yours sincerely,

Always remember that taking time off your career to take care of a personal commitment is nothing to be ashamed of. Life happens and it is not a reflection of your work. As times are changing, many employers are becoming increasingly considerate and understanding when it comes to gaps in employment history. 

Therefore, never be tempted to hide your career gap as you will risk your entire application if the recruiter comes to know otherwise. Focus on the positives and assure the employer that you are ready to return to work and possess all the required knowledge and skills for the role under consideration. 

Also Read: Most Common Interview Questions and Free Resume Builder

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Writing a Resume After More Than a Few Years Out of the Workforce

cover letter after long absence from work

One question we are often asked is how do I write a resume when I haven’t worked, professionally, for years. And it’s tough because most “ how to deal with a resume gap ” advice is aimed at people who have been out of work for several months, not years. So here’s a high-level guide to writing a resume when you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time and are trying to restart your career.

1.  Don’t try to “fool” the reader.

Using a nontraditional resume format generally backfires. Recruiters spend very little time reviewing a resume, and one that requires them to spend too much time to figure out will get passed over quickly. We generally recommend that you follow a traditional chronological format with your experience (both paid and unpaid) at the top, in order from most recent, and then education under that.

To help you get started, here are some Recommended Resume Formats for Returners (with templates).

Note: We have specific resume advice if you are applying for a returnship.

2.  You don’t have to include everything.

Resumes are marketing documents, not legal documents. Highlight the experience you have – both paid and not – that makes you a fit for the role you are applying for. This is true for returnships and permanent positions.

Should you eliminate all experience that is more than 10 or 20 years in the past due to age discrimination ? We get this question often and it’s tough because age discrimination is real. But for women who are restarting their careers it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to create a resume that eliminates “old” experience without eliminating all experience. Focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you are applying for, eliminate what you can without diminishing your abilities, and be sure to tout what you’ve done in the last one to five years that is relevant.

What if you can’t remember all the details of your prior jobs? If you don’t remember it well, you won’t be able to speak to it well in an interview , so consider leaving it off for that reason. If there are jobs you want to include – because you worked for a great company or had a great title – include it with a short description of the overall role and any accomplishments that were particularly memorable. That way you’ll get credit for the job without having to go into too much detail.

3.  You should include any experience that fits the role you are applying for .

Don’t diminish your unpaid work or even paid work that happened outside a corporate environment. There is an art to doing this well, though.

First, be sure to put your experiences in terms that are business friendly . Talk about results and outcomes – money raised or saved, time saved, lives impacted.

Second, group projects in ways that make sense and highlight your skills and accomplishments without making it look like you are “padding” your resume. It’s better to say you worked on a 90-day assignment and here’s everything you accomplished in that time than trying to make that look like a job you had for a year with only three months worth of work to show for it.

4.  Consider custom versions.

It’s pretty normal for someone restarting their career to have a few different avenues that they are pursuing, especially if their career background had a few twists in it. To follow the advice about “not including everything” while also including relevant experience, you may need a few versions of your resume. Both versions may list all the same jobs (though they may not), but would emphasize different skills and experiences based on the job you are applying for.

The easiest way to do this is to create a master version that has all roles and all bullets and then cut out the parts that aren’t relevant for different roles. But don’t go too crazy with the customizing because…

5.  Don’t spend too much time working on your resume.

While there are likely plenty of ways to improve your resume, the truth is that the parts of your resume that recruiters focus on first are the parts you can’t change – where you worked, when you worked, what your title was. Extra time spent perfecting each bullet is less valuable than almost every other activity related to job hunting: researching companies, taking classes to update your skills, and reaching out to people who can champion you within an organization or who can connect you to others who can.

I realize it’s a cheat to tell you to spend less time on your resume in a blog post about improving your resume, but it’s really to emphasize controlling the parts of the process you can ( how you spend your time , who you reach out to ) vs. the parts you can’t (your prior career decisions and how others will judge them).

Tami Forman is the founding executive director of Path Forward and a frequent speaker on issues related to caregiving and workforce participation.

Originally published February 2017.

cover letter after long absence from work

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Resume-Writing After a Long Work Absence

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A slow recovery from the recession can mean a prolonged absence from the job market, causing a work gap on your resume. How you go about addressing it can mean the difference between landing a job and landing at the bottom of the resume heap.

"It's very important to make it clear you have been using your time productively," says Matthew Rothenberg, editor-in-chief at TheLadders.com, a recruitment services company.

Simply saying you've been looking for work isn't good enough. On your resume, you'll have to prove you've tried to advance your career, whether it's by volunteering, networking, advancing your education or doing contract work, he says. Here are some tips to spruce up your resume after a long work gap .

Functional Resume Pros and Cons

The most common way to structure your resume is to list your work experience in reversed chronological order, starting with your most recent job . If you've been out of work for some time, you could opt to structure your resume as a functional resume. With a functional resume you would name all of your skills at the top of the resume and then list your work experience below, but not in a reversed chronological order, says Allison Nawoj, a spokeswoman for CareerBuilder.com, based in Chicago. Any absences in your work history can be addressed in the cover letter, she says.

More On This...

Functional resumes are often used in cases where your experience is the same from one job to the next. For example, if you are an accountant, you may use a functional resume if the skills and job functions are the same in each job you're considering. It also makes sense if you are new to the work force and have little work experience.

If you've had different job functions in several companies in your work history, then a functional resume could be a red flag for hiring managers, says Charles Purdy, a senior editor at Monster Worldwide, an online job site based in New York.

"When almost any HR person sees a resume organized like that, they know you are trying to hide a work gap on your resume," he says. "Most hiring managers will look at this and say, 'what are they trying to hide,' and will figure it out."

Purdy says to be upfront in the cover letter about any work gap and more importantly, try to find realistic ways to fill the work gap on your resume. "You don't have to have gotten paid for it to be a valid builder on your resume," he says.

Let's say you've been out of work during the last year but have attended networking events, trade shows and even took a continuing education class in your field. All of that can be added to your resume and it shows you've been trying to enhance your skills while out of work. Maintaining a career-focused blog or Web page also could count as experience on your resume, he says.

"If you've been out there increasing your skills and knowledge of the market, treat those just like paying gigs ," says Rothenberg. Don't pretend they were paid jobs -- but do emphasize the skills because they can be powerful arguments for hiring you, he says.

List Work Outside Your Field

Let's say you were laid off from your job as a marketing manager and had to take a job as a waiter to make ends meet. While it doesn't boost your work experience in the marketing realm, Alfred J. Mariani, founder of Resumes Etc., a resume-writing and consulting-services company with offices in Connecticut and White Plains, N.Y., says it could actually get you hired in your field.

Companies will have more respect for the former executive that took a job outside his or her career than the executive that stayed out of work and collected unemployment. "It shows you made an attempt to get out there and find employment ," Mariani says.

While volunteering, consulting and networking can help to fill a work gap on your resume, Rothenberg says not to list each one separately on your resume. You're better off grouping them together under one entry to avoid looking like you've been hopping around from job to job .

He says a way to address drawn-out unemployment is to create a hybrid resume that lists all your skills at the top but then lists your work experience in reversed chronological offer. With this structure, you would be able to demonstrate your value before getting into the gap or gaps in your work history , he says.

"A hybrid brings functions to the top and shows what you bring to the table," Rothenberg says. "You're able to hook them and they understand the value."

cover letter after long absence from work

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  1. Sample Letter For Leave Of Absence From Work

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  2. 43 Free Leave of Absence Letters (Work & School) ᐅ TemplateLab

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  3. Letter Of Leave Of Absence Template

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  4. Apology Letter for Absence from Work Due to Illness

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  5. 43 Free Leave of Absence Letters (Work & School) ᐅ TemplateLab

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  6. 43 Free Leave of Absence Letters (Work & School) ᐅ TemplateLab

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Write a Cover Letter for Returning to the Workforce

    Keep mentions of gaps in employment brief, and explain the absence in a few short sentences. Here is a list of seven steps to writing a cover letter when returning to the workforce: 1. Identify who you are. List your full name, address, phone number, email address and any other contact information you deem appropriate.

  2. Cover Letters and References after a Career Break

    Sample Relauncher Cover Letter: Dear: I am very interested in the A opportunity at Company B, and believe my skills and experience make me a strong candidate. As you can see from the attached resume, I spent X years doing very similar work as a Y at Z Company. In addition, I developed C skills in my D years at E Company.

  3. Cover letter samples for coming back from a career break

    Customer service return to work cover letter. Launch in email Copy to clipboard. Dear [hiring manager], I'd like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy advertised on your website. I have a wealth of skills, knowledge and expertise in customer service, and I am confident that I can deliver an exceptional customer experience.

  4. Cover Letter for Reentering the Workforce

    The purpose of your cover letter is to persuade the recruiter or hiring manager to give your resume attention and to contact you for an interview. Although you'll have to explain it at some point, refrain from excusing your absence from the workforce with apologetic language or tone. Similarly, you cover letter should not explain how long you ...

  5. Cover Letter Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents Returning to Work

    2. Be Confident, Not Apologetic. When parents who've been at home for a few years come to see Crawford, many start the conversation feeling burdened by the need to address their employment gap. But, she says, "You should be proud of the fact that you took care of your kids.

  6. Best practices when you are re-entering the workforce after a long absence

    2. Fine-tune your resume for re-entering the workforce. Done the right way, your resume will get you a foot in the door, even if you've had a long absence from the workplace. Refreshing your resume and tailoring it for each job opening is the best approach. Use the job description as your guide and arrange your work experience and skills so ...

  7. How to handle sticky situations in your cover letter

    Whether you were laid off from your last position, took time off to raise children, or are looking to change careers, the cover letter is the perfect place to address potential red flags. One caveat: Keep the explanation brief. Writing a cover letter is an exercise in selling yourself, so the tone should be upbeat and positive.

  8. 8 Steps for Re-Entering the Workforce After a Long Absence

    1. Start your job search with a focus. One of the first steps in returning to work is to assess your situation and focus on your needs. Review your education and experience, but also think about your skills, interests, strengths and what you value most in a new position and in an employer.

  9. Career break cover letter template

    To finish the letter, always thank the employer. Sign off your cover letter with 'Yours sincerely' (if you know the name of the hiring manager)/'Yours faithfully' (if you do not), and your name. Example: Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.

  10. How to explain a career break in your cover letter

    When it's time for you to explain your career break in the cover letter, keep the explanation brief and concise. Remember, you don't have to go in-depth as to why you left your previous job. For example, let's say that you decided to leave work to care for your elderly parents. The recruiter doesn't need to know the details about how you came ...

  11. How to Write a Cover Letter After a Gap in Employment

    Create a simple cover letter outline. Regardless of your current employment situation, there are a few general guidelines all good cover letters should follow. These documents should be 3-4 paragraphs long and include a short introductory paragraph followed by 1-2 body paragraphs providing details on your skills, qualifications, experience ...

  12. How To Write a Re-Entering the Workforce Resume (With Template ...

    2. Write a resume summary. Below your contact information, write a one- to two-sentence resume summary that describes how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the position you want to apply for. This statement allows you to reveal your strongest assets and credentials right away. It is your chance to make a good impression on the ...

  13. Cover Letter Template for Career Break

    Thank the employer for their time and consideration while closing the letter an sign off with an appropriate salutation such as "Yours sincerely", or "Yours faithfully". Example: Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you for an interview and take my application further.

  14. Career break cover letter example (UK cover letter)

    Free cover letter template for when you're returning to work after a career break. Follows all the latest cover letter writing best practices. You only need 30 minutes to customise it for your application. Example cover letter shows you how to use the template. See how to layout your cover letter, and what info to include in your cover letter.

  15. How to Explain a Career Break in Your Cover Letter

    The top of your letter needs to include your address and the address of the company (if it's being sent by post). If your cover letter is being sent by email, a date is sufficient. 2. Recipient and greeting. Address the letter clearly (including the name of the hiring manager, if possible) and start with the reason you are writing.

  16. Writing a Resume After More Than a Few Years Out of the Workforce

    And it's tough because most " how to deal with a resume gap " advice is aimed at people who have been out of work for several months, not years. So here's a high-level guide to writing a resume when you've been out of the workforce for a long time and are trying to restart your career. 1. Don't try to "fool" the reader.

  17. How to Write a Resume After a Long Career Break

    1 Highlight your transferable skills. One of the most important aspects of your resume is to demonstrate how your skills are relevant to the position you are applying for. Even if you have been ...

  18. How to go back to work after a long leave of absence

    5. Consider temporary or part-time work. If you're at all nervous about going back to work, try easing into it with temporary assignments or a part-time position. This can be an especially smart method if you've taken time off to be a stay-at-home parent, as transitioning directly from full-time parenting to a 9-to-5 job can be jarring for ...

  19. Resume Samples for After a Career Break

    Here is one way you could present a caregiving career break on a resume: Jacob Flores. 778 Mulberry Way, Dallas, TX 75002. 555-555-5555. [email protected] Objective Dedicated, passionate graphic designer with 5 years of experience looking to develop comprehensive designs to support client branding.

  20. Cover Letter Examples, Templates and Writing Tips

    Law cover letter samples (3) The verdict is in — a strong cover letter is critical to landing a job in the field of law. Study our cover letter examples for a job as an attorney, legal assistant or lawyer. Free In-house Lawyer Cover Letter Templates. Professional Legal Secretary Cover Letter Sample & Writing Guide.

  21. Resume-Writing After a Long Work Absence

    Resume-Writing After a Long Work Absence. A slow recovery from the recession can mean a prolonged absence from the job market, causing a work gap on your resume. How you go about addressing it can ...

  22. How To Write a Long-Term Unemployment Resume

    Before writing your long-term unemployment resume, consider the specific qualifications you want to include. Then, use this example to help you write your own resume after your period of long-term unemployment: Alana Robbins. [email protected]. 555-555-5555. Los Angeles, CA CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT.