Time off needn’t be roadblock

Iwalked away from my career three years ago to raise my two children. Now I want to go back to work. How do I patch this hole in my resume in a way that would be less repulsive to potential employers?

J.T.: I don’t think employers will be repulsed by your decision. I commend you for taking the time to be with your kids! Moving forward, the key is to show employers that your skills are current and showcase the ones that are in demand.

Dale: Although “repulsive” is far too strong a word, “worrisome” might apply. Hiring managers have worries about everybody they interview. The biggest worry is making a bad hire. That’s why employers need reassurance that your skills/knowledge haven’t atrophied. Attend professional meetings and meet with former colleagues to make sure you know the latest trends and jargon. Then there are the unspoken worries that hiring managers have about a candidate. In your case, an employer might worry that you’ll decide you miss being home and want to take a few more years off. Or that you’ll repeatedly ask for time off to deal with personal issues. J.T.: But what I don’t want is for you to have a head full of doubts. If you market yourself properly, you’ll land a job. Employers know that moms are experts at multitasking, not to mention handling stress. So, don’t underestimate the fact that taking time off might have made you a better employee.

Dale: Should you be anxious about how employers view you, ask in the interview, “Do you think my time off will be a problem in getting hired?” Odds are, the hiring managers will tell you about all the people at the company who have taken leave. This will reassure them by their reassuring you.