AIBU: Details of Career Break

[Greenblue12]

I started a career break initially for health reasons then had a baby. I didn’t think I’d want to return to work til baby was at school but since becoming a mum I’ve become more motivated to get back into work part time.

I’m wondering how much detail to go into with employers at interview/application stage about my career break. I wasn’t sacked for negligence or anything like that. Resigned on good terms after some periods of sick leave to give someone else a go at my job.

I don’t know why but I feel having a baby is a more acceptable reason for being out of the workforce/gap on CV than leaving last job for sickness.

How much detail is needed?

YANBU - keep it brief ie took some time out to have/care for baby

YABU - give full details

Are you likely to want more time off/adjustments for health reasons? If so you might want to be open. Otherwise it’s none of their business, just say family and leave it at that

Keep it brief.

Dont say you left your job to give someone else a go at it. I am sure there's a longer explanation, where that seems reasonable. But it just sounds odd without the explanation and its not needed.

The brief baby reason is the best.

I would probably just say baby unless you have a permanent health condition for which you may need adjustments or regular time off.

@MrsWinters Good point, thank you I’ll think about this but prob not. I’m feeling in a better place to manage things now and I’m looking to go part time (was FT) so hope this will solve any remaining issues.

Depends on the sector I think? What area are you going to apply for?

My instinct is try to stick to the facts but keep it brief- i.e health issue followed by family commitments?

Suppose it depends how long you were off before the baby and will you need adjustments.

@Hankunamatata I’ve been off for four years and my baby’s one.

Worked and studied since early teen for 20 years before this.

In that case it might be difficult if you say you left work to have a baby and then have to studiously avoid small talk about your baby's age, given a 3 year discrepancy!

@ToykotoLosAngeles I was thinking this.

Wondering if I’m making too much of a bigger deal in my head about one reason or a break being more acceptable than another? Or if it doesn’t really matter.

Just put "career break" or "career break for family reasons". I sift lots of applications as part of my job and so long as the rest of the application or CV makes sense we wouldn't need any more info. I think you might be over thinking it. Lots of people have career breaks so you wouldn't stand out. I had an 8 year break when I had kids and I never say anything more than that as my experience more than makes up for the break.

Good advice above on keeping it brief and non-specific.

OP, you may additionally find it helpful to browse the new-ish ‘Mature Study & Retraining’ board, here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students

People have taken career breaks for all sorts of reasons - often for much longer than you. You’ll find countless examples of how they move forward.

I'd just say career break.

You will need some kind of personal reference to cover that time. Basically they'll want to check you're not hiding a prison stay lol, but do have a friend on hand who's willing to confirm the dates of the break.

If you've claimed any benefits in that time you can use that as a reference too.

I just say career break to raise my family, and never had a problem. It's understandable and self explanatory.

If it's not the sort of job where they want a complete employment history with no gaps, then just putting "career break" is probably fine, but you might want to be prepared to answer "so tell us about your career break..."

Saying the career break was because of the baby, given the discrepancy in dates, is going to look like you're covering something up. (I guess you wouldn't be giving the child's DOB, but it might easily come to light.)

It may be best just to be honest about the career break being for health reasons, especially if the health issue is now resolved. You've had a baby and are itching to go back to work; that suggests your health is well under control now.