About Andy Expertise I can help prepare candidates for job interviews; assist in discussing problems with your supervisors or peers; help in creating a resume that gets results; answer general work related questions.
Experience I have been in a management leadership role for the past 30 years. I have extensive knowledge re: the interview process, problem solving, team building, communcation with executive management, company mergers, downsizing, outsourcing of jobs, project management, disaster recovery, office politics, management consulting, business ethics,career changes, job relocation to another part of the country & becoming an agent for change within a corporation.
Question QUESTION: In 2001, I resigned my job to stay at home with my children and to assist my mother while she was dying. What should I put on my resume or while filing out an application, for that 3 year "break" ? I'm employed now but I am applying for another job. Please answer, if you can, asap. I have to put in for this job by Friday. Thank you in advance for any help that you might be able to provide.
ANSWER: Hi Lesa,
Caring for an elderly parent is not only acceptable to companies but also understood. Most companies have employees who have taken a leave of absence for situations similar to yours.
Simply state that you cared for your dying mother for those 3 years & came back to work when your Mom passed away. Any company worth joining will certainly understand the decision you made & will not hold the decision against you.
Lesa, best of luck in your job search & if you need further clarification or assistance, please let me know.
Regards,
Andy
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for answering so quickly. I just had another question. After I resigned, I took care of my mother for the last 6 months of her life. When she passed, I chose to stay home until June of 2004. During that time, I volunteered time at my children's school, took care of my father, worked for AVON, and worked for my ex mother-in-law. When filing out the application, what do I put? I'm so confused and I really want this new job? Thank you again.
Answer Hi Lesa,
Honesty is always the best policy but you don’t have to provide the intimate details of the situation. How about something like this in your cover letter or as a separate piece of paper attached to the application.......
In 2001 I was forced to resign my position at XXXX to care for my ailing mother. In the months that followed my mother’s health deteriorated until she passed away in XXXX of 200?. In the succeeding months, my father was also in need of daily care which prevented me from rejoining the workforce full time. In order to provide for my family, I worked part time for AVON as well as with my mother-in law’s company. After this difficult period, I was able to rejoin the workforce in XXXX & was hired by my current employer. Although I have been employed full time for the past XX years, I did want to take the opportunity to explain the gap in my work history.
If I can further expand on any aspect during this period, please let me know & I’d be pleased to do so.
Sincerely,
Lesa XXX
Hope this is the type of explanation you were expecting; if not, let me know & I’ll take another crack at it. I don't mean to put words in your mouth; I just tried to write a brief explanation. I wish you the best of luck in landing this job. When time permits, I would appreciate you filling out the allexperts.com questionnaire as well as the reason you chose me to assist you in this matter. Go get them Lesa!
