how honest to be in cover/introductory letter?

[ineedajobplease]

I've been self employed for 2 decades but recently have found myself trying to delve back into the world of 'proper' employment. I've applied for a handful of jobs that I felt I was absolutely perfect for and haven't even gotten as far as an interview.

I have a very specific set of skills suited to niche small businesses, BUT, I have also been off the radar for a few years for various reasons. I'm applying for job in a retail management role in a small business and I'm wondering if I should be upfront about why I haven't done much for the last few years and how to word it?

The big hitters are - my husband died 11 years ago and I felt I actually dealt with that quite well, then in 2018 my brother was diagnosed with a terminal illness and died within months, my mum subsequently had a breakdown and nearly died and still isn't back to full health mentally or physically. This has had a huge impact on my mental wellbeing and during this time I have also had some sort of breakdown although I never spoke to anyone about it, but looking back I think that's what happened. I've more or less been isolated for the last 3/4 years and I haven't attended to my business properly to the point where it doesn't sustain me any more. However, after a lot of soul searching and medication, I feel like I've turned things around somewhat and want to introduce some stability into my life.

Obviously I won't even go into that much detail, but should I address it at all or try and gloss over it? And if I should address it, what should I write?

Thank you!

Just to add that the job is a rung or two down the ladder which will be obvious from my CV, and I feel only highlights that I haven't been working for a few years.

I don't think a list of your problems is a good idea. If you have been self employed for the last few years can you give details of what you have been doing and how you have kept your skill set up? You could mention that family problems have made it impractical to have a fully employed job for a few years (or something like that). If you get an interview you could elaborate a bit, but they will not be looking for an employee with a load of problems. Keep everything as positive as possible.

I wouldn't put any of that into your cover letter.

The cover letter is a short introduction of why you fit the role, the company and why the recruiter should continue on to review your CV.

I definitely wouldn't put a list of problems, that was just for context (though possibly irrelevant). It was more wondering if should I put something similar to what @Silverbirchtwo suggested just to acknowledge the obvious gap/down time. That line seems to cover what I need, and if they ask about it I can expand a little.

I want to try and get across my reason for wanting to be on someone's payroll after being self employed for so long too. In the one interview I did get they were really interested in this and I tried to convince them that the opportunity was something I was passionate about etc etc rather than be honest about it.

Could you say you were on bereavement leave? That sounds like a ‘good’ enough reason for time off, without the potential employer thinking you could have ongoing reliability issues. I’d steer clear of anything that implies family responsibilities/problems that could come up again.

I would not put any of that into a covering letter. If you feel you have gaps in the CV that you need to cover, then I would keep it to "caring responsiblities" or something similar as appropriate. Your covering letter should be highlighting your qualities, not your past or current personal problems.

“Caring responsibilities” that have now ended would cover it.

I kept my self employment on my CV so that it covered any gaps. Just put 'self employed 2004 to present' and leave it at that. They aren't to know what work you are doing.

Have some experience of recruiting & interviewing in my job. I would definitely put something in your covering letter to acknowledge the gap in employment, not going into too much detail but I would rather see someone being transparent saying they had a break in employment due to bereavement/caring responsibilities etc rather than just there being an unexplained gap.
Try and frame it as what you have been doing in the last few years has given you transferable skills for the position you’re applying for and say you’re in a position in your life now to be back in employment

Thanks all for your great advice - I sent my application in last night and have an interview already!

I added a couple of sentences along the lines of that I've taken time off in the last few years to attend family issues which no longer affect my ability to work, now I'm looking for the stability of an employee role and I'm excited about new opportunities

That sound really good. How exciting to get an interview!