Job Discussion Forums

[santi84]

I have a question for those of you who are hiring managers or knowledgable about cover letters and resumes.

I graduated with my TESL-related degree and TESL certificate in 2009. I have not worked in the field since then (I took time off to have children and was a stay at home mother, I also used the time to go to school and learn the local language). Now it's time for me to go back to work - do I explain this absence in the cover letter or do I just not mention it until any potential interviews?

I don't want managers to think that I am leaving off some dodgy employment but I also don't want to face discrimination if they think I will just quit again to be a stay at home mother again (I'm done with kids!).

Thoughts?

[tttompatz]

As an employer, it wouldn't be an issue for me.

In this industry specifically there are lots of people who take a year off to just go sit on a beach.

If I asked, your answer as described in your query would be sufficient but I am not hiring in La Belle Province either.

.

[Glenski]

I second everything tttompatz wrote.

[santi84]

Thank you, I appreciate it

[Sashadroogie]

Actually, gaps in employment history can raise questions. Not all parts of the world have TEFLers who sit on a beach for a year.

The worst case is that a potential employer would think that an applicant spent time 'inside', if there were any unexplained gaps in the CV. This is particularly a concern if the TEFL job involves young learners. It is entirely reasonable of an employer to wonder and enquire about how the last five years of an applicant's life were spent.

I do not know what way is the best way of addressing this, however. Putting the relevant facts in the covering letter seems fine to me. In any case, I wouldn't just gloss over the gap. It will certainly come up at interview - if there is an interview.

I hope that helps.


Sasha

[tttompatz]

Standard police check covers that issue and should be part of a teachers application package.

If the check is there then the issue is not.

.

[spiral78]

[tttompatz]

[santi84]

Interesting discussion! I didn't think that prison would be on the radar, but I'm in the ESL (not EFL) context here. I graduated in 2009 but I continued my other career (in the RCMP ) until 2010 but between 2011-2012, I spent time learning French at a local government-run program, so I can show evidence that I was not locked up.

I just didn't want people to think I was hiding unfavourable employment!

[kah5217]

Any volunteer work? That's what I used to fill in my resume. I listed a lab class as an "unpaid research position" and my company was fine with it.

[santi84]

No, nothing since 2010.

[kah5217]

Hmm. Worst case scenario, just list those years as "homemaker".

[nomad soul]

[santi84]

True, student is appropriate as well. Quebec (ESL) is a bit different than the EFL world (and the rest of the ESL world). You cannot work here if you are not bilingual French/English, the idea of an English-only teacher just doesn't fly, so I needed to study French anyways before getting a job. Looks like my problem is solved (hopefully)

[coledavis]

In my opinion, you should send your cv with the qualification but no explanation; the explanation goes in the covering letter which should accompany your cv. (As you will have noticed on my cv, ...)