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Save it until the interview, then make it brief -- "Cared for a family member during a medical issue that has since been resolved." -- and move on.
Don't go into what you learned during the time. Just that now that the medical issue has been resolved, you are excited to go back to work.
If they call your last place of employment for a reference, it may be mentioned that you quit to care for your sick mother, but don't you go into all of that.
If the interviewer asks for details, keep it general. How relieved you are that matters have been resolved and how excited you are to get back to customer service. Maybe a general remark about how it felt being on the receiving end of good customer service and would like to have the opportunity to provide that again.
Keep the focus on you, your skills, and what you can bring to the organization.
Even if they read the cover letter they may not believe the reason. Next applicant...
Good point. If they're gonna hold that reason against you, I wonder if its just better to say you're still working at the place and ask them to not contact the employer?
Good point. If they're gonna hold that reason against you, I wonder if its just better to say you're still working at the place and ask them to not contact the employer?
An applicant can ask not to contact but there is no law that says they can't. They most likely will.
OP as posted has a legitimate reason, best to keep it honest.
Oooh ... I briefly entertain thoughts from time to time; “what if ...?”
What if somehow Luke was in a program where they could actually handle him (probably around age 25, when his brain may hopefully simmer down) & I could go back to work?”
Realistically speaking; who would want me now? I’m 51 & have been out of the work force since 2005. He won’t even be 25 for another decade. And what if his brain doesn’t ‘simmer down’ (speaking to the chronic neuroinflammation in autism)?
I was so naive back when I was 38 & I thought I’d take some time off to gather resources! Ha, I was the resource! Now I’m trafficked by my own DHHS; who take advantage of my love for my son as long as they can. When I die they will be paying somebody else who does not love him, over $400/day to do what I do for free.
Employers discriminate against people who are out of work. When asked what you did, you took care of a sick relative. Then talk about how that made you a better customer service person (if you're applying for a CS position).
Talk about the skills you used in this time, so you can show them your awesomeness is not rusty.
Save the reason until the interview, then make it brief -- "Cared for a family member during a medical issue that has since been resolved." -- and move on.
Some employers might move onto the next resume to review once they see someone has been out of work for seven months and wonder why that person hasn't been able to find a job. I'm not saying the OP doesn't have a valid reason but I think she might be at a disadvantage here. That is why I recommend to briefly mention the reason in the cover letter (or even on the resume) so that people won't automatically assume the worst.
Nothing would surprise me. Some HR screeners will see the gap on the resume and then automatically assume the applicant is the "problem" for being out of work for seven months and not even bother to read the reason why they have been out of work. I don't have much faith in people reading cover letters.
First - unless a cover letter is explicitly requested. I wouldn't even bother with one. And it would also depend on the type of company. Education/Research - you'll likely need one. Technology companies, likely not. The gray area are the small companies. Because you are likely dealing with a smaller group, it may depend on an individual's preferences. Someone that is old school will probably want one. So I'm speaking more about what you say at the interview if the question about what you've been doing the past X months comes up.
As you indicated - you've received different opinions on how to handle this and what may happen, etc. And this is likely going to be the same theme with the hiring managers - each will have their own perspective on whether or not this will be a factor. Some may have done the same in the past and understand what you went through, others may see it as a red flag, and some won't care at all. Unfortunately, the reality of it is that it's anyone's guess. You're dealing with personal preference at this point. That said - someone who is going to hold that against you is probably not someone you want to work for anyways...
You mentioned some of your former colleagues moved on - are you still in touch with them? If so, you might consider reaching out just to see if they know of anyone that is hiring. And have to you talked to your previous employer? Sure, the old company isn't what it used to be, but it'll probably still be more familiar than a company you've never dealt with.
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