Trying to rejoin the workforce - help?

OctGirl80

I have been out of work since June 2010 when my previous employer decided to retire. We got our BFP at the same time and decided for me to stay home. Now that I'm trying to find employment again, I'm not sure what to do. Should I explain my employment gap in my cover letter? Or wait until I get an interview and they ask?

 

Any tips/suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Kissimi21

In this economy, most employers are not surprised to see a gap (even a long one) in your history.  I would wait until the interview to explain.

Comet4658

I don't know that you have to explain the gap, but maybe you could say why you are looking for a job now/ your goals.  "looking to re-inter the workforce to pursue my passion in ..."  As a hiring person I would like that, but I don't know if some would be prejudiced against moms or people that take time off work for family issues.  I hired people in both situations. 

However I do think you should put down anything that kept you current in your profession or any volunteer work that you did during that time.  

bluejetta

I agree with PPs that gaps are quite common and that it makes sense to state in your cover letters something about returning to work though you don't need to explicitly state why you were out of work.  Unfortunately some employers are biased against employees with families -- it is illegal but they do it subtly or overtly.

If you have done any volunteer or other activity during your time out of work that is good to note and I think in an interview you can explain the gap and talk about how your skills / interests are still timely, relevant etc.  I've been in a couple jobs were we have hired moms/dads returning to work from child raising and as long as they had the experience/skills etc it wasn't a downside that they were out of work for some period of time.  

 Good Luck!