How do I explain my one-year gap of employment on my resume?

As a single mother, I was lucky to live off my savings, 401K and tax-return. I have been looking for a job for the past-month and have had only one inteview. Is it because of my one year gap of employment? I was even told not to mention having a baby, because that is more of a risk of not gaining employment. What do I do?

How do I explain my one-year gap of employment on my resume?
You don't say how you are explaining the gap right now. That maybe the reason why you're not getting interviews; or it could be something completely different, like you don't have the right skills needed for the jobs, you maybe over-qualified or under-qualified. Have you called the HR dept and talked to them about reasons why you were passed over? If you know it's because of the 1-year gap, I'd be honest with the reason why. It might be an obstacle to hurdle, but if you sell yourself with confidence and can back up your claims of skill %26amp; knowledge with solid examples, you'll overcome that obstacle. It might take longer than a month of job-hunting, but if you're persistent, you'll get past it.
Reply:You don't want an employer who doesn't understand you are a mother first. For nine years, I was a single mother of 2 children, and I was also a very dependable employee. Honesty is always the best policy. You don't want them finding out the truth from someone other than you. A child is not something to be ashamed of, but someone you can be proud of.
Reply:While there is a lot of competition for jobs, I would not lie about it or fudge the dates. If the prospective employer realizes you've lied on your resume by checking dates and/or references, it might make them wonder what else you are/will lie about. Tell them that you were a hard-working determined woman who wants to provide the best that you can for your child and would love to let {employer's name} help you do that.





I've just come from maternity leave myself and stated that while I was off for a year, I was able to keep up to date with my skills, and even developed new ones or helped refine them - Better time management (getting laundry done, cleaning house, breastfeeding baby, getting precious sleep! etc ) better organizational skills (keeping track of blankets, diapers, pacifiers, keys, purse etc) better able to deal with stress (crying sick infant at 3 am when you've yet to be asleep, awake since 7 the previous morning type of stress), These are the types of skills most employers are wanting to see developed.





It helps if you can show that you kept up on developments in the field of work as well (shows that you are interested in working as well as parenting)


Be up front with them and make sure you mention that primary child care is in place if arranged, and you have backup just in case primary fails. Be prepared for questions and most of all be proud of yourself, going it alone is not easy. Good luck!!
Reply:I personaly feel that the truth is always better as it will catch up with you sooner or later !
Reply:Your choices are: explain it or fudge the date of your previous employer. I would not mention the baby either. There is a lot of competition for jobs out there, it's probably not your gap.
Reply:i always put that "during this period of time i was a full time parent" it is completey understandable having a year off with your just born child. of course you should mention it!
Reply:be honest when your interviewer ask for it %26amp; state why you are ready to return to work--are child care arrangements in place to allow you to return to work?
Reply:Be honest. You can say that you decided to leave employment to have a baby and give it a good head start in life, and now that they baby situation is settled you are ready to become gainfully employed again.





If you just leave a gap in your resume, an interviewer will ask you about it, and you have to be truthful. But a gap without any explanaiton could look as if you have something to hide, such as a jail term. That may result in lack of interviews. Better to explain the gap and get interviews from businesses that understand that women have babies but also have skills to offer.
Reply:I generally don't put dates on my resume. as long as you have experience in the field that you are applying for, you should be able to find something. Have you considered revamping your resume? Maybe it doesn't have a WOW factor to it, and if it doesn't, they normally don't get as close of a look by the people doing the hiring. (FYI, they usually only spend about 15 seconds on each resume, so if you can't catch their eyes, you won't get a call)





A lot of single mother's take time off to spend time with their children, so you have nothing to hide.





An emplyer can't refuse to hire you because you have a child...that's illegal.
Reply:I totally agree with sara c and ronin. You cannot fault anyone for becoming a parent, especially from mom's end.
Reply:Always be honest.