How to Address Gaps in Your Employment History-4

 

By Peter Newfield

 

Jobs Employment, Career Job, Employment Job

For example, a returning teacher may include a sentence or two in the cover letter such as: "As you can see on the enclosed resume, I have a Masters Degree in Special Education and have more than 10 years of teaching experience in the XYZ and ABC School Districts. While I have taken a leave from teaching over the past five years to raise my two daughters, I have recently begun working as a substitute teacher in several local school districts and am anxious to resume a full-time teaching position." The applicant is focusing the Personnel Director’s attention on his or her 10 years of relevant teaching experience and is also providing information that he/she is pursuing current experience in the field through substitute teaching.

An operations manager who was downsized and took time off to go back to school in preparation for a career change may include the following information in his cover letter. "I would like to transfer my strategic planning and project management skills into the financial management arena where my interests are targeted. I have already completed six hours towards my MBA in Finance and would like to build a new career in the financial services field." Again, the job applicant is stating that he has skills and experiences in a different industry but that he is redirecting his efforts, attending graduate school, and seeking an entry into a new field.

Take the time to craft your resume and cover letter to accurately present your skills and experiences, and your efforts will be rewarded.