According to a report, 80% of women with college degrees took a six-week leave when their baby was born. This means that for the period that they were absent, there was a vacant space in the company.
However, our focus is not on the vacancy but on the gap it creates in the mother’s CV and how to address it.
Returning to work after maternity leave can feel like you are stepping into some kind of uncharted territory. Stepping into this territory can create some kind of anxiety – anxiety about how you’ll explain the gap to employers you’re meeting with. The best part is that the gap is not a flaw and employers, in today’s world, are becoming more understanding.
In this article “Post-Maternity Leave: How to Address The Gaps On Your CV”, I will guide you on how to address employment gaps on your CV in a good way to help your prospects.
Let’s get started!
Source: Freepik
What Do Recruiters Think About Maternity Leave?
Before we go on to talk about the gap, you need to know what employers and recruiters think about maternity leave. Recruiters today understand employment gaps more, especially when the gap results from maternity leave.
Some recruiters view maternity leave as a normal part of one’s career path because you also have family that you tend to apart from work. Raising a family involves patience, multitasking, and emotional intelligence. All of these skills are a great plus but what your recruiter cares about is your readiness to bring those skills to the table.
They also appreciate it when you address the gap directly and focus on what you learned during your time away. No recruiter is looking for a subpar, so highlighting your skills, readiness, and strength is key.
Post-Maternity Leave: How to Address The Gaps On Your CV?
Here’s a detailed explanation of what you ought to do to address the employment gaps on your CV after maternity leave;
#1. Be honest and confident
Honesty, they say, is the best policy even in the place of discussing your employment gaps. You do not have to hide anything as you’re supposed to state clearly the reason for the gap. However, you should be brief and direct without going into any of your details.
Honesty helps a lot and your employers will also appreciate you being upfront. Come off confidently, without an apology. Your confidence in addressing the gap will show them that you are ready to re-enter the workforce with determination and commitment.
#2. Highlight your transferable skills
One of the good things that come with maternity leave is the chance to sit back, reflect, and learn new skills. Managing a household can be a hassle but it helps you hone your problem-solving, management, and patience skills which is a plus for every workplace. You can leverage this and highlight it professionally in your CV.
For example, if you handled a complex household schedule, you can choose to describe it as “managing multiple projects”. Doing this helps to demonstrate your ability to manage projects, work with a team, or lead one, which is crucial in the professional world.
#3. Use a functional or hybrid CV format
Unlike a traditional CV that lists your job experience by date, a functional CV focuses on your skills and achievements. On the other hand, a hybrid CV combines both formats by listing your skills first and then including a brief work history. This helps your potential employer to see your skills and previous employers you have worked for. Working with this approach gives you the opportunity to focus on what you bring to the table rather than the employment gap.
Source: Freepik
#4. Leverage your cover letter
Your cover letter is another great place to emphasize and elaborate on your employment gap. While your CV should mention the gap briefly, your cover letter can provide more context. Explaining the gap will show proof and also build a flow to help you emphasize readiness and enthusiasm.
You can share how your time away has prepared you for the challenges ahead and be sure to connect it directly to the job you’re applying for. It helps demonstrate how your experiences have uniquely equipped you for the role.
Also read: Does Getting Fired Leave a Mark?
#5. Prepare for interviews and emphasize continuous learning
Concerning interviews, you ought to be prepared to answer the question about your maternity leave. It is best to rehearse your response to questions about the gap so that you can answer smoothly and positively. Practicing will help your fluency.
During the maternity leave, if you took any courses, earned certifications, or attended workshops during your maternity leave, include these on your CV.
Employers value candidates who show a commitment to continuous learning, even during a career break. This can include online courses, webinars, or even self-directed study in areas relevant to your field.
#6. Showcase achievements post-maternity leave
After maternity leave, If you’ve had any notable accomplishments since returning from maternity leave, make sure to include them on your CV. Whether it’s taking on a freelance project, contributing to a community initiative, or even a successful home project that requires leadership and planning, highlight these achievements.
This shows potential employers that you are ready to contribute proactively to any role. This, in a way, shows that you have successfully balanced personal and professional responsibilities and also reflects well on your time management and organizational skills.
Source: Freepik
Tips on How to Tailor Your Post-Maternity Leave Resume for the Role
Here are some tips to help you tailor your resume for any role:
- Intensively read the job description and note the key skills and qualifications required.
- Align your experience with these needs, emphasizing any transferable skills gained during maternity leave.
- Highlight any relevant courses or volunteer work that shows your commitment to continuous learning.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your CV to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use.
Wrap-Up: Address Employment Gaps On Your CV After Maternity Leave
In addressing employment gaps on your CV, you need a good combination of honesty, confidence, and strategy in your presentation. Do not forget that maternity leave is a good reason for a career break and brings with it a wealth of transferable skills that can enhance your professional profile.
By using your CV and cover letter, you can tell a compelling story that highlights your skills, experience, and readiness to return to work. Be prepared to discuss your gap confidently in interviews, and leverage your network to create new opportunities. You can turn what might seem like a disadvantage into a unique strength that sets you apart from other candidates.
