To hide mat leave on CV?

[Swissz]

Hi. I am applying for a new role in my organisation when I return, but in another team - they do not know me. I’ve been there for a long time and I wondered if on my CV I need to write I’ve been on mat leave for the last year? Or if I can just write I’ve been in my currrnt job (which technically I have). What looks better?

You’re still employed in that role - not sure you have to put mat leave

Current role. It’s not entirely a lie.

It wouldn't occur to me to put my mat leave on my CV. And I've never seen it on a CV before when shortlisting.

Thank you that’s very useful! Slightly nervous about returning and also applying for a new role that I really really want.

No you're still employed in the role

They could get your info from HR anyway I suppose but I've never put any period of leave on a CV, maternity or otherwise.

Thank you!

No reason to put it on your CV. I’ve had 2 almost back to back mat leaves and currently looking for a new job. I have not and will not be putting it on my CV. It’s of no relevance to a future employer. Would you put on if you’d had to take extended sick leave too? Just seems entirely personal and unnecessary! Don’t sell yourself short.

Good luck with the job search! I just started a few days ago as ready to go back.

I don't put mat leave on mine, I wouldn't put annual leave or if I had to have time off for an operation etc either.
FWIW OP I got a promotion when I was on mat leave, I was nervous in a way I've never been in a professional interview before because I felt out of the loop, but clearly it didn't matter and I've had another promotion since. I've also just recruited someone for a role who is on mat leave and we are willing to wait for her. She was the best candidate. Good luck!

I cannot tell you how much this has reassured me. I’ve been almost too scared to apply because I feel so distant from work and the office and day to day.

A recruiter questioned me once about a contact of theirs who couldn’t remember me at the place of work I’d listed. I’d been on maternity! They were checking I hadn’t lied!! Didn’t even occur to them that it might have been maternity. I’d like to think people are more clued up now than 10 years ago.

😱😱

You're still employed in that role, so you definitely shouldn't / need to specifically say you've been off on mat leave. You're still in that role.

Thanks all!

No you are still employed so you don't need to put mat leave. If you were off with a broken hip or something for 6 months you wouldn't put that on your CV

As PP have said do not put mat leave on your CV, you are giving recruiters an easy way to reject you without spending time to see if you are the right person for a job!

In my field you do put it, because there are things you would be expected to achieve as an individual in x number of years in the role, so you want recruiters to know you have had time out (and therefore aren't just less productive than others). I appreciate that's probably a bit niche, but thought it was worth mentioning just in case.

Do you think recruiters may reject because of mat leave?

Just curious, what do you do?

Yes unfortunately because you are more likely to need time off if your kids get poorly etc

Oh gosh I didn’t think of it that way!

Unfortunately yes.not all,but a large number may do as PP said for sickness etc, even if it wouldn't be the case for you.

Would any man write on his CV that he had 6 months paternity leave...

I wouldn’t mention it. Why would you? At best, it’s irrelevant. At worst, it’ll be something they hold against you.

@Makingchocolatecake I'm an academic, but I could imagine how it might also apply in other types of role where you would want to say how many projects you'd worked on, specific training or experience etc.