CV / cover letter help

[princessellie]

I have been out of work for 6 years, due to uni and having the kids. I am trying to find a weekend job as a waitress as I had tons of experience at it back in the day and I really enjoyed it. Any tips for making my absence look less shit on my CV and cover letter?

Thanks

 

[CourtneyLane]

The university part of being out of work is easy, just say you were studying. That always looks good on a CV. If it was a degree that was spread out over six years because of having children maybe you could try the angle of you studied while raising your family. Then that explains the length of time plus why you want to work now.

 

[princessellie]

No it wasn't, unfortunately. I also didn't get to finish my degree because I became pregnant half way through and couldn't find affordable childcare. I can't think of any way to make that sound ok x

 

[aliss]

I'm doing mine right now too, I've been out for 4 years, same reason. I just focused on my previous experience and explained briefly that I was 'ready to return to the workforce after being a stay-at-home-parent'. As long as it wasn't because you were in prison or just being a bum, I think most would be understanding.

 

[Rags]

As pp says make 'stay at home mum' a positive statment. Don't forget that it gives you great organisational skills along with people skills, diplomancy, multi tasking. Make sure you put these skills at the top of your CV, as I was always told, if they like what is on page one they will turn over the page for personal details so catch their eye. You have previous experience - so page 1 - skills and previous experience, page 2 - education and personal details. Don't just repeat your CV on your cover letter, use it to point out that you are keen to return to work, with them. If you can apply in person rather than just by post, that way the manager gets to see you looking 'together' and has an idea of what they will get rather than assuming that you are a frazzled parent.

Good luck

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

Looking at your signature put in about setting up a business: balancing accounts, supply and demand, marketing, administration, researching needs of your customers, agility to meet their requirements, customer service, website admin if you sell online.

Call the national careers service too you can email them your cv and then they'll talk you through any changes and it's free.

 

[daneuse27]

No it wasn't, unfortunately. I also didn't get to finish my degree because I became pregnant half way through and couldn't find affordable childcare. I can't think of any way to make that sound ok x

Did you ever finish your degree? If so, I would say that you were studying and raising a family at the same time.

If not, I would just never mention that you started but didn't finish (no way to make that look good) unless you say it wasn't for you.

I think its ok to be honest and say that you are looking to enter the workforce after raising your family for the past six years. Write that on your cover letter and talk about your prior work experience and that you are excited to be entering the work world again.

I don't think any of this should be an issue for a waitressing job however; as long as they can see you have people skills, are organized and responsible they will hire you

Also - sometimes food service jobs look unfavourably upon degrees because they think you're overqualified and will eventually leave them. So if waitressing is what you're going for, I probably wouldn't mention the degree at all. Just put "Relevent Work Experience" over employment (makes it look like it isn't your only employment) and list everything you've ever done that involves serving customers.

Good luck!