wits end

Help! I am looking to go back to work after being a full time mum for 9 years. Now here’s the problem, what do I put on my CV for this 9 year gap? Do I just leave it at 2003 with my last job details? Do I say full time mum? Or do I just explain the 9 year gap in my covering letter? Or even wait for an interview and explain? Just don’t know what to do for the best and am concerned they’ll dismiss me before I even get to an interview if I don’t say something (I’m a secretary if that makes any difference?). I’d really appreciate any advice!

Many thanks as always!

Shot81

on my CV i have a personal profile right at the top, so if i was you i would put in something like...

after spending may years working as a secretary for...... i decided to take a career break and spend time with family and friends,i also managed to travel around the world and experience many different coulters and meets lots of people, during this time my husband and i had our child...now that my child is well settled into school and I have fulfilled my dreams and ambitions for life i have decided to get back into my career, and put to use my experience i have gained during this time....
blah blah....

dont tell fibs..just bend the truth

wits end

secretary/PA

Shot81

just edited my first post.... hope that helps...

Big Galah

In this case maybe think of the emphasis on skills and experience and a small summary of places worked at the end.

Something like explained here...
Linkedin

...which I found by typing "non-chronological resume" into Google

wits end

Excellent thank you!

wits end

Brilliant Shot81, thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

HelenTD

Last year I had a 6 month contract, my first paid work in 11 years. I did study at uni during that time, so I had those details to add in. I was really worried about my CV too, but I added in a section on Community Links (things like volunteering at school canteen, carer for my MIL, local community work, etc) and Personal Attributes (organised, adaptable, etc). In my covering letter I had a couple of sentences about my "career break" and also talked about how my office skills had been kept up to date while I was studying, as I thought that an employer might be concerned that I didn't know the latest version of Word or Excel or whatever.

itxrd

Shot81 is right. Make sure something is there explaining it otherwise you won't get any interviews. Good luck!

wits end

Thanks so much, do appreciate everyone's help!