CV - mention DC's or not?

[HumanBehaviour]

I'm sitting here writing my CV and I am wondering whether to mention that I've got two DC's or not?

Would it count against me?

I have done nothing since June last year when I finished uni, 2nd son born in August.

Do I leave the last 6 months blank or do I say I've been home with baby?

WWYD?

When it's only 6 months, I'd probably not mention it. It's not that long a time to not be working, so you shouldn't have to "explain" it, and it's not really anyone's business if you have children or not.

I tend to think its worth mentioning if you otherwise have to leave a big gap on your CV, as it explains that better than dole/prison/etc, but I know some people say you shouldn't ever have to put it on there.

Thanks! The thing is I am only writing my CV now, I will probably not apply for a job for another six months. Will the gap be too long then?

I've got another "gap" of 7 months from 2006 when I had DS1, do I leave that as a gap as well?

I'd be tempted to leave them both as gaps. Personally, I didn't go back to work till DS was 3, so I felt it was better to mention him rather than leave it blank, but I don't think gaps of a year or less necessarily need any explanation on your CV, not the way peoples jobs and lives are these days - gaps aren't that big a deal.

Ok, thanks!

Were you on Mat leave either time? If so you would include it as employed.

no, never mention marital status, your DOB nor if you have Dc's on a CV

I had an 8 year gap when I stayed at home until both dcs were at school. It is on my cv & generally jobs these days don't accept cvs anyway (none that I have applied for anyway). Usually there is a 6+ page form to complete & you have to cover every gap anyway. I have had plenty of interviews & even got a job so I don't think it would matter that much. You could argue that childcare for preschoolers is much easier to arrange than childcare for school age children anyway (although maybe more expensive).

AF is, as ever, completely right.

DOB is quite easy to figure out anyway as they always ask for the dates of qualifications. Then you have to complete all the other details (that apparently the employer doesn't see!) about race, marrital status, religion etc.

I recently applied for a part time job & they asked me would I work full time & how I would manage the hours - not directly but there wasn't much else it could mean. I went on to explain how I would prefer a job to fit in with my kids afterschool football clubs etc & when they offered me the job I used that to renegotiate the hours so I could be back in time to collect - it is only a Mat Cover position though.

do you think men worry about these kinds of questions ?

they are not allowed to ask you, and you do not need to disclose

you should not be entering into any discussions about childcare

ooo thanks, BDSM

I just like typing that !

You are right I know they shouldn't have asked but they did it in a way that left it up to me. They knew I had kids as I had an 8 year gap to explain & as a result I have negotiated a finish of 4.15 instead of 5 with a shorter lunch break

well fair enough, 23

but that aspect should have been negotiated at a different point in the proceedings

after they offered you the job and before you accepted it

AF

And, you're right again re the negotiation, etc.

Hey, BDSM, we could form our own agency !

Informing women of their recruitment and employment rights

< researches a potential gap in the online market >

It was I laid it out in the interview & when they offered me the job I asked about the hours & asked if I could negotiate. I wouldn't have accepted if I couldn't & they obviously needed someone ASAP as they asked if I could start the next day! I said next Monday was the earliest so I have 3 days to get ready!

I have never been on maternity leave but have to children. On my CV I've got the choice to leave gaps or mention that I was home looking after children. (First time 7 months, 2nd time 6 months so far.)

So if the policy is to NEVER reveal you have children then gaps is a better option?

two children, not to.

Just leave a gap if necessary...or not

If your employment history is being requested by the year then I am not sure why leaving a "gap" is even an issue ?

Just say 2002-2004 worked at Rocket Science Labs blah blah

2004-2007 worked at FAB Marketing blah blah blah

just run them into each other if the gaps are only a matter of months, in other words

well done, btw, 23 and good luck

Thanks AF I am stressed about being late for the after school clubs & am going to ask for an extra 5 mins, I think the fact that I mentioned this all along may mean they will agree. Really hoping the full time person requests to come back part time & I may get a longer term p/t job out of all of this!!

PS Didn't mean to hijack. But basically if you have a reasonable work history & decent skills it shouldn't matter that you have taken some time out to look after babies. In some ways it can work in your favour as they may prefer someone who has already had their children & won't be going on Mat Leave in the next year or so.

I have always done my cv by year, so small gaps have never been an issue, but I do wonder if employers wonder if you are trying to hide gaps by doing by it year rather than more precisely. Also, only a couple of months ago at interview I got asked questions which were obviously about child care, and i thought, "Do I want to point out the illegality here, or do I want the job?" He was a bit of a dinosaur, and in his 60's. I know you shouldn't have to think like this, but need must when the devil wees in your kettle...

And no, I don't mention the family on my cv.

What are you going to do then if you DO get the job, then have an emergency with your children?
They will find out and they will SACK you for lying on your CV.
Tell the truth for goodness sake!

It is not lying to not mention children.

RB...it isn't compulsory to mention your children on your CV, and employers are not allowed to ask

they cannot sack you for leaving out that information, and even if they did you could wipe the floor with them for discrimination on the grounds of sex

please don't scaremonger like that