Help! Explaining current low pay in covering letter...

[TimeForNewStart]

Used to have a couple of great jobs, great pay etc. However since DD was born 11 years ago its been a combination of SAHM, self employment and for the last 5 years my current role, which has some status and professional standing in a related field, but pays peanuts due to PT hours and employer having a magic beans approach to money.

Currently on 12K and applying for role at 40-50K (what I was previously on).

What do you think of the following as a closer to my covering letter to explain this without actually using the dread words 'caring' or 'maternity break'. I have just finished an MA hence my reference to 'learning and growth'.

My current role as XXXX has been a fantastic opportunity for learning and growth, however the time is now right for me to look further afield, and I would really enjoy the opportunity to speak with you at interview about why I am a good fit for this role

Whaddya recon? Will they read between the lines?

I wouldn't get what you were trying to say from that if I'm honest.

Me neither looking back at it [Grin]

I mean, my current job sounds good on paper, but its just if their eyes flick to the salary column, I will look like a looser!!!!

and now my isn't even working!!!

Do you need to include your current salary? I would leave it out tbh

How bout this?

My current role as XXXX has been a fantastic opportunity for learning and growth and has worked well around other commitments, however the time is now right for me to look further afield, and I would really enjoy the opportunity to speak with you at interview about why I am a good fit for this role.

Or not refer to it at all?

do you have to list your salary? I never have. If you do is the full time equivalent better?

They have an internal application form with a column for salary. Are you suggesting just leaving it blank? REBELLIOUS!

I always write “NA” in that box. Because it is of no relevance at all. Never had an issue with it.

Further afield is about geography, not personal development imo. I'd find another phrase.

Put the full time salary in and then just put pro rata in brackets?

Ooooh, I'm liking that @TimeForNewStart

Anyone else get their backs up by NA? (wouldn't bother me actually and I've done loads of CV sifting in my time.

I knew Mumsnet would set me right!

Is it £12k pro rata (so you earn a fraction of that), or is that the actual part time salary, in which case your salary is the full fine equivalent.

You could leave it blank though, or put variable if it's a zero hour contract.

Thanks @wowfudge, you're right!

@titchy I earn 12K for a role that is 24K full time.

Whenever they ask about salary I just write 'fair going rate in this area'. It's never held me back but is useful for negotiation (because the 'fair going rate' for men is often a few grand higher than for women, and when I find out what the men are earning I ask for the same.)

N/A suggests you're not being paid, that it's a voluntary role. If asked for the salary put down the full time equivalent. If not asked down put anything.

Avoid waffle. Your closer is entirely waffle.

*don't not down

Is this job a promotion from where you are currently in terms of role, or just a sideways step into a bigger/better company?

I don’t think the things you’ve suggested writing in the covering letter should be added. If you have past experience of similar salaries/level of role then don’t sound so meek about possibly, please, thank you, if you could, maybe just get a tiny little interview (not having a go, it’s something women seem to do in the workplace. A man wouldn’t consider writing what you’re thinking or writing.)

Think like a man in the workplace, get paid like men.

Do not put your past salary in there. It’s none of their business.

I think you need to leave your current salary blank. Or lie. Most companies would baulk at such an increase because they will assume there is a reason you're in such low paid work.

Eleven years is a long time, and you were and are prepared to work what is effectively min wage, there is nothing wrong with this, but it would beg the question on whether you were now capable of more.

As such either lie or leave it blank.

Oh, and don't use "however" like that - either put a semi-colon/full-stop before it or use "but".

Sorry, a real bugbear of mine, and you want your covering letter to be accurate, I guess.

Op, I get what your trying to do here. I would recommend checking out Job Jenny on LinkedIn - you can usually get a free trial of premium - as she has a cv masterclass which covers how to deal with things such as a career break.

Oooh, this is great feedback, so glad I posted!

Don’t put your salary in. On the online form, write “TBC”. Don’t mention it in the covering letter. If they don’t interview you because of that, you don’t want to work there.

I work for a huge household name and it’s a massive feminist personal bug bear of mine that we ask for current salary as part of the allocation. I get that roles have a range, but unless you’re particularly thick, you can have a wild stab at whether the candidate’s current company may be above the typical pay levels.

Women are SO much more likely than men to agonise over lying on these online forms, and employers (whether consciously or not) anchor their offers to the current salary, so we perpetuate the gender pay gap over and over again.

This is for a role in the private sector that is more or less what I used to do. Currently work public sector with different client group.

They would frankly be lucky to get me, I am ever so good