Do I lie about the baby?

[Hodie]

My baby is about to arrive, but I need to find a job for next year. I intend to email my CV to a couple of agencies.

My area of work is competitive. I have the necessary experience, qualifications and references, but worry about mentioning the fact that I have been on maternity leave. I can imagine any potential employer viewing my CV, rolling their eyes and thinking mother = sick baby = too much time off work = unemployable.

Should I lie and state that I have been on a sabbatical? Or, should I just be honest?

Don't phrase it as maternity leave...I have it as a sabbatical to spend more time with my daughter...they don't need to know that your child is not at school yet. A good employer would also assume you have ample childcare in place to cover such an issue.

I think its best to be as honest as you can and certainly don't lie if questioned about it.

good luck!

Thanks pollymere, that's good advice.

If it's normal maternity leave isn't it just part of a continued period of employment on a CV e.g. "Aug 2005 - Jul 2010 X Ltd Y Manager" so why phrase it as a sabbatical? Hodie, why not ask the same q under Employment Issues as I think you might get more responses.

I used my maternity leave to find a better job and have not put it on either cover letter or CV. It only ever came up when talking about possible start dates, as I couldn't start before my child care arrangement started. I've got the second job I interviewed for.

Maternity leave counts as continuous emloyment, so there's no need to mention it.

Babysplotface and WidowWadman, thank you for your response.

Unfortunately, I was on a fixed term contract which terminated in May 2010. However, my employer was under an obligation to pay statutory maternity pay. Consequently, I believe, there is no continuity of employment in this instance.

I will post the question on Employment Issues. Thanks again. All help greatly appreciated!